Issue #

23

Proserpine Bowls Mid-Year Momentum

July 31, 2025

It’s been a packed week at Proserpine Bowls Club, with club championships, social games, and community programs all in full swing. In the Club B Singles semi-finals on Saturday morning, Harry Craig defeated Kendall Watts 25–16, while Todd Leys overcame Bruce Uhe 25–14. The final will see Craig and Leys battle it out for the title. Wednesday’s social bowls had a strong turnout. Trevor Parsons, Carol Smith and Heather Brown edged out Geoff Orton (visiting from Eltham, Victoria), Barry Zillmann a

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Abell Point Yacht Club Sails North For A Weekend of Fun

July 31, 2025

Five boats and ten enthusiastic members of the Abell Point Yacht Club set sail last Friday for a weekend getaway to Cape Gloucester, braving some wind and swell along the way. While conditions kept skippers alert, spirits remained high as the fleet cruised north. By late afternoon, the boats were safely anchored off Cape Gloucester Beach Resort. A blustery Friday night brought strong gusts and a couple of dragged anchors, but Saturday morning arrived calm and clear. After coffee and cake at th

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Battleship Bowen!

July 25, 2025

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 Takes Place On Local Shores In a powerful display of precision and partnership, Republic of Korea Marines stormed the Bowen coastline as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 this week. Arriving via two roaring MUH-1 Marineon helicopters, they executed a textbook amphibious air assault—clearing enemy positions and seizing control of their objective. Operating alongside Australian and U.S. forces, the mission tested their ability to adapt to unfamiliar terrain while

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A Handwritten Note From The Heart

July 25, 2025

Last week, when staff entered their office in Airlie Beach, they noticed a little note had been left on their desks. Looking around curiously, they wondered if it had been one of their co-workers, but soon discovered that every desk had a note - who could it be? Each note was handwritten and included one simple yet inspiring sentence. The office soon filled with staff, and each person read their note, taking a moment to pause before the day began. Each note was individual, and somehow, each

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Editors Note 25 July

July 25, 2025

This week, I’m off on an adventure of my own—I fly to Italy today for a two-week holiday! We’ll be landing in Rome, catching a train to Florence, and then taking a taxi to a small village called Radicondoli, where we’ve leased a small holiday villa with our family. It’s a special trip for us, as we’ll be sharing the villa with my brothers and their families, along with our beautiful mother, Jan. While I’m incredibly excited for the travels ahead, I’m also a little sad to be missing the Great

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Helicopter Heroics At Whitehaven Beach: Woman Airlifted After Near-Drowning

July 25, 2025

A snorkelling trip at one of the Whitsundays' most iconic destinations turned into a medical emergency last Thursday, when a woman in her 50s experienced breathing difficulties in a near-drowning incident at Whitehaven Beach. Just before midday on 17 July, BMA CQ Rescue was urgently tasked to the area with the rescue helicopter becoming the only emergency service able to respond swiftly due to the area’s isolation. Landing directly on the pristine sands of Whitehaven Beach, the onboard critica

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Airlie Beach Masterplan Draft

July 25, 2025

Released For Community Feedback Whitsunday Regional Council is encouraging the community to share their feedback on the draft Airlie Beach Masterplan, a bold vision aimed at guiding the town’s future growth and transformation in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympics and beyond. Mayor Ry Collins said the draft plan marks an exciting step forward in reimagining the future of Airlie Beach and shaping a long-term vision that extends to 2050. “This is a draft for feedback, and we want locals, visitors a

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Jacks Law Reforms And Farewell To A Legend Of The Seas

July 25, 2025

Following the tragic death of 17 year old Jack Beasley in Sufers Paradise in 2019 the Queensland Police Service has been very proative in addressing community concerns about knife crime in Queensland. In 2021 the legslative framwework for ‘Jacks Law’ was put in place. This legislation allowed Police the power to use hand held scanning devices in relelvant places. Airlie Beach Safe Night Precinct is one of those areas that was named. Since 2021 in Queensland more then 100,611 wanding operations

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New Psychologist Joins Barefoot Medicine Whitsunday

July 25, 2025

Meet Michelle McPherson The Whitsundays community will soon welcome experienced paediatric psychologist Michelle Macpherson, who is set to begin consulting at Barefoot Medicine Whitsunday next week. With more than 25 years in Educational and Developmental Psychology, Michelle brings extensive experience supporting young people aged 2 to 18, particularly those navigating anxiety, depression, school refusal, and complex diagnoses. Her client-centred approach is built on collaboration with familie

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St Catherine’s Catholic College

July 25, 2025

To Celebrate 100 Years This Sunday! A century of education, faith and community spirit will be honoured this weekend as St Catherine’s Catholic College hosts its much-anticipated Centenary Picnic on Sunday, the 27th of July, from 10am to 3pm. Held at the college grounds, the family-friendly celebration promises a day of connection, celebration and fun for all ages. Locals past and present are warmly invited to attend and take part in this special milestone event. Guests can look forward to a v

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From Apprentice To Factory Manager

July 25, 2025

Cory O’Shea knows how far an apprenticeship with Wilmar Sugar and Renewables can take you. He scored a fitting and turning apprenticeship at Wilmar’s Herbert sugar mills straight out of school, back in 2007, and is now Manager Operations at Proserpine Mill. “I knew I wanted to do a trade, and Mum and Dad strongly encouraged me to try for an apprenticeship at the mill,” Mr O’Shea said. “I didn’t have a family connection to the mill, but I knew some people who worked there so I organised work e

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Local Spiritualist Launches New Book

July 25, 2025

Whitsundays-based spiritualist and author Marion Weatherburn is preparing to launch her second book, ‘Wired Not Weird’, this Sunday at the Whitsunday Sailing Club. Describing herself as a fourth-generation spiritualist, Marion has completed nearly 7,000 readings over 37 years and her new book, ‘Wired Not Weird’, is both memoir and manual. “This book is a spiritual handbook. It teaches people how to hear, how to listen, and how to know, so they can connect with their own guides and loved ones,”

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Love Or Loathe Networking?

July 25, 2025

Change The Way You Connect Whether you love working the room or loathe the awkward small talk, the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry invites you to reimagine what networking can do for your business. Ahead of the 2025 Whitsunday Business Conference, the Chamber will host a high-impact preview event at 7:30am Thursday 14 August at Club Whitsunday, Airlie Beach. This practical and energising session will demonstrate why networking is not just a social nicety but a core business strat

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Minute With The Mayor

July 25, 2025

Let’s Shape the Future of Airlie Beach Together The draft Airlie Beach Masterplan is now out for community feedback and Council would love your input. This isn’t just a plan on paper. It’s a shared vision for the future of Airlie Beach and a roadmap for how we can create better public spaces, encourage smart investment, and get ready to shine when we host the 2032 Olympic sailing events right here in the Whitsundays. The draft reflects years of community feedback on what matters most — things

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Did You Know 25 July

July 25, 2025

Soft plastics can’t be recycled in your yellow-lidded recycling bin. In fact, placing them in the yellow bin can contaminate the load, meaning the entire batch might end up in landfill. What a waste! To check if plastic waste can be recycled, try the scrunch test! Soft plastics can be scrunched into a ball and don’t bounce back (like cling wrap, plastic bags and food wrappers) - these items must go in the waste bin. Hard plastics (like milk bottles, yogurt tubs and shampoo bottles) can be placed

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One-Stop Shop For Natural Wellness And More

July 25, 2025

Goodness Gracious the health and lifestyle store has been quietly nourishing the local community with natural remedies, wellness essentials and alternative products that can be hard to find elsewhere. Stepping into the store, visitors are met with an impressive selection of Ayurvedic medicine, medicinal mushrooms, herbal teas, and supplements, from magnesium, zinc in liquid colloidal form to black seed and oregano oils, known for their immune and digestive support. Popular products like castor

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Which super fund?

July 25, 2025

Most people are about to receive their annual super statement to 30th June 2025. The annual returns have been around the long-term average, between 6% and 10% depending on which portfolio you are in and how much risk or volatility you’re comfortable with. This year’s returns are around average, but they do fluctuate from year to year. For the previous three years they were typically 2% to 4% higher and the 2021 Financial Year was boomer at around 20% to 30%. These returns sound great but don’t

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Luxe for Less – Premium Marketing Without The Premium Price.

July 25, 2025

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What Do I Need For My Tax Return?

July 25, 2025

Don’t forget anything! Receipts for work-related deductions. Logbooks for phone usage & motor vehicle. Rental property income and expenses. Records for all investment changes throughout the year (i.e., crypto and shares buy and sell). Make an appointment to see one of our experienced tax Accountant’s today – 07 4948 4444.

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Wills & Estates

July 25, 2025

"Do I really need a will?" – Yes. Yes, you do. It’s not just about who gets the air fryer. A good will ensures your wishes are followed and makes things easier for the people you leave behind. Without one things can get messy, fast. And not the fun kind of messy. At Whitsunday Law, we walk you through the process step by step. Whether it’s your first will or time for an update, we’ll make it straightforward and stress-free. Because your estate shouldn’t be left to chance (or to a dodgy online

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Bowen State High School Celebrates NAIDOC Week

July 25, 2025

Bowen State High School came alive with colour, culture, and community spirit on Friday, the 18th of July, as students, staff, families and community partners gathered to celebrate NAIDOC Week. The day began with a heartfelt Welcome to Country and traditional smoking ceremony, led by Juru Elder Uncle Jimmy Gaston and accompanied by traditional Aboriginal dancers. Student representatives proudly raised the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags in a special flag-raising ceremony. To commem

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A Lift Of Kindness

July 25, 2025

Abbot Point Crew Lends a Hand to Bowen RSL It was all smiles at the Bowen RSL earlier this month when a team of hardworking volunteers from Abbot Point Operations stepped in to help with a task that was as heavy as it was heartfelt. As part of a recent community grant allocation, Abbot Point Operations donated a full set of brand-new chairs to the Bowen RSL and went one step further by personally delivering and moving both the new and old furniture on site. Bowen RSL’s Rhonda Nilsson couldn’t

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Don River Dash Returns For Seventh Thrilling Year

July 25, 2025

Bowen is once again set to roar to life as the Don River Dash returns for its seventh year this September, promising high-octane action, community spirit, and a unique racing experience in the heart of the Whitsundays. What started in 2019 with just 40 bikes and 30 cars has grown into a major motorsport event. Attracting around 100 vehicles, including trophy trucks, buggies, and other modified racers and over 220 bike riders and growing. The 50-kilometre course, set in the dry Don River bed, i

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Bowen Boasts Beginning Of Bruce Boost

July 25, 2025

Just days after the state budget, Bowen was the site for the first of many projects making up an historic investment into safety on the Bruce Highway. Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, said it was only fitting that priority works included a notorious section of the highway just north of Bowen and that the state government was ‘getting on with delivering on our commitments’. “For too long words are all that have been delivered when it comes to addressing safety on the Bruce Highway,” Mr Last s

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Polox & Prosecco! Bowen’s First-Ever Ladies Day Set For This Weekend

July 25, 2025

The Bowen Polocrosse Club is preparing for a weekend to remember, with its inaugural Ladies Day event happening this Saturday, the 26th of July. Tickets to the highly anticipated event sold out weeks in advance, marking a promising start for what could become a new annual tradition. Running from 12pm to 4pm, the ticketed event will treat 100 lucky guests to live acoustic music, prosecco, raffles, and a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere alongside A and B grade polocrosse matches. With optional cat

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