Sports Day in 1984 Sports Carnival in 2025 A newsletter in the 1980’s A newsletter in 2024 The Year 5 Last Supper performance in 1985 The Year 1 Last Supper performance in 2025 Rugby League in the 1980’s Rugby League in 2025
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As the proud principal of St Catherine’s Catholic College, I would like to extend a welcome to community members to learn more about our College, and to join us for the 100 year celebration. In 1925, the Sisters of Mercy founded St Catherine’s School in Marathon Street. Many of our current students have parents and grandparents who attended the school and who have fond memories of their schooling. Catholic schools were originally founded to provide for those who might not otherwise gain an ade
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At St Catherine’s Catholic College, education begins with a strong foundation. The school is committed to nurturing students from Prep through to Year 12, helping them grow academically, spiritually, socially and emotionally. The Mercy Precinct, named in honour of the Sisters of Mercy who founded the school in 1925, is home to Prep to Year 2 students. This dedicated area includes spacious classrooms and shaded outdoor play areas featuring mini soccer fields and imaginative play spaces designed t
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At St Catherine’s Catholic College, the primary school program for children in Years 3 to 6 lays a strong foundation for academic success and personal growth within a supportive and inclusive environment. With a focus on educating the whole child through head, heart and hands, students are guided through these important years by dedicated classroom teachers who support both their wellbeing and academic development. Literacy and numeracy remain central to the curriculum, but the learning experien
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At St Catherine’s Catholic College, the Secondary Campus caters to students from Years 7 to 12, offering a vibrant and supportive environment where young learners are empowered to thrive academically, socially, and spiritually. Igniting Curiosity in Years 7 to 9 The middle years at St Catherine’s are all about exploration and discovery, offering a rich curriculum designed to ignite curiosity and uncover hidden talents. Students dive deep into essential subjects like English, Maths, Science, and
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Whitsunday Regional Council is proposing changes to the Whitsunday Planning Scheme 2017 to better manage short-term accommodation, like Airbnbs, within the Low-Density Residential zones. The aim of these changes is to strike a better balance between homes for locals and holiday stays for visitors. We’ve mapped out 10 precincts across the region where STA may be supported, based on things like community feedback, existing use and historical holiday areas. Head to Council’s online engagement spac
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In the last couple of weeks there has been a few humpbacks whale sightings in the Whitsundays, as well as whale sounds through a hydrophone. The whales will start to become more regular now. The first humpback whales to arrive in Whitsundays in late May/early June are the females who are looking to mate this year. Followed by the pregnant females. Humpback whales only mate every 2-3 years. Their gestation period is 11-12 months and their calf will stay by their sides for 12 months. Some female
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Here in the Whitsundays, we are very fortunate to have such a diverse landscape, made up of a variety of vegetative regimes; woodlands, grasslands, rainforests, mangrove forests and…Littoral Rainforests. Littoral Rainforests occur on coastal headlands, dunes, sea-cliffs or other places influenced by the sea. There are a range of plant life forms including trees, shrubs, vines, herbs, ferns, and epiphytes (plants that are supported by or grow on other plants). Several plant species found in litt
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Hi everyone, Winter is well and truly here, and I’ve been hearing more and more about the amazing marine life this season brings! While whales often steal the spotlight, we’re also seeing more sightings of manta rays and dugongs! It’s been freezing lately, I’ve been tucked up with my hot water bottle most nights! Luckily, the chill hasn’t stopped me from getting creative. I’ve been running some wonderful weekly art sessions at Eco Barge HQ, where we turn recycled waste into beautiful pieces. I
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Budget 2025–26: Building a Fairer, Stronger Whitsundays Last week, Council handed down the 2025–26 Budget—my second as Mayor, and one that truly reflects the direction Councillors and I want to take as a region. My first budget last year was delivered just weeks after we were sworn in. This year, we’ve had time to dive deep, confront the financial realities, and make tough but necessary choices to put us on a more sustainable path. We uncovered a structural deficit in our general fund—around
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Proserpine’s very first show brought together an isolated community for social activity and friendly competition. While these days our community is no longer isolated, today’s show (now known as Show Whitsunday) continues to be an important and greatly anticipated social event. The people of the Whitsundays owe a debt to the many dedicated men and women who, for well over a century, have given their time and talents to make the annual show the success that it is today. Rail, hail or shine, this
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The Bowen Zonta Club recently hosted an inspiring two-day STEM workshop for local girls, with a fantastic program of hands-on activities designed to build skills, curiosity and confidence in science, technology, engineering and maths. Day one saw 37 young girls dive into electronics by building their own operation games, experimenting with samples and learning fingerprint analysis as they worked to solve the mystery of who ruined Suzie’s birthday cake. This fun and interactive forensic unit had
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In the last half of the nineteenth century, there were several unsuccessful forays into sugar cane growing in Bowen. The Bowen Sugar Company in the 1860s and Hildebrandt Brothers in the 1880s were two early failures. However, with the opening of the railway from Bowen to Proserpine in 1910, cane growing on the Don River near Bowen revived with the Field brothers and James Maltby planting cane by the Don. The only market for this cane was the Proserpine Mill, transporting it over the newly opene
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Join the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry Today In a dynamic and evolving economic environment, the Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry remains a trusted voice and support network for businesses across the region. With more than 230 members and growing, the Chamber brings together a broad cross-section of businesses to advocate for local needs, foster collaboration, and provide timely access to valuable information and services. What is the Purpose of the Chamber? The Chamb
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Hey all, I’m putting my editorial writing skills to the test today, so please forgive any typos Ruth and Daniel haven’t caught! As I wrap up my time with Life Publishing Group, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to all the incredible clients, business owners, and community members I’ve had the pleasure of working with. From sales and social media to weekly chats with advertisers, unforgettable events, and Core Magazine photoshoots, this journey has been one I’ll always cherish. To the amazin
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Meet Rooney — a 6-year-old Bull Arab cross with a heart as big as his paws. Rooney has been waiting patiently for his forever home, and we think it’s finally his time to shine. This handsome boy is a big softie at heart. Rooney is incredibly gentle, affectionate and adores human company. He’s the kind of dog who’ll rest his head on your lap and look at you like you’re the centre of his world. He’s also been working with trainers and has made great progress — he now walks beautifully on the lead
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With Major Investments In Health, Housing & Tourism The 2025 State Budget has been unveiled, promising a “fresh start” for Queensland with a strong focus on health care, housing, infrastructure, and community safety. For the Whitsundays region, the government says the funding package delivers vital investment across key local services and industries. Among the headline announcements is a major expansion of Mackay Hospital, with at least 128 new overnight beds slated to restore and improve acces
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Hi Everyone, Last week when I was in the Burdekin, racing through a few morning emails in my hotel room before heading off to an event, I saw this message pop up in my inbox: ____Hi, my name is Brian, nice to meet you. I'm emailing you because I'll be arriving in Proserpine today. I'm starting a road trip, and until I find a job, I want to save as much money as I can. So, I wanted to ask if I could go to the food bank and pick up some groceries. If possible, I'd like to know the address and h
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Taking centre stage for their special night, the Year 12 students of St Catherine’s Catholic College celebrated their School Formal last Thursday at VMR Whitsunday, the evening set against the backdrop of a stunning sunset. The much-loved local school is also marking a major milestone this year—its centenary. Known for the many multi-generational families who have passed through its gates, St Catherine’s has played a proud role in the community’s story. You can read their special eight-page 'p
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What's Happening With Australias First Orbital-Capable Rocket? By Ruth Puddefoot After a few turbulent weeks, Gilmour Space Technologies is back on track with its Eris TestFlight1 mission, following the successful resolution of a payload fairing issue that led to two launch scrubs earlier this month. Now back on the pad at the Bowen Orbital Spaceport, the Eris rocket has had a new payload fairing installed and has entered the next phase of launch preparations, with system testing currently unde
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Weddings Whitsundays stands as the region’s go-to planning resource and promotional hub for wedding planning in the Whitsundays, connecting couples globally with our unparalleled beauty and professional services. The fundamental purpose of Weddings Whitsundays is two-fold: to passionately promote this magnificent region as the ultimate wedding destination and to foster the growth and success of local wedding businesses. For members, being part of this collective is invaluable. With its recent s
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The fifth annual Coffee with a Cop catch up is set to take place at Whitsunday Plaza next Wednesday 2 July at 10am. The popular and ongoing event has become a powerful tool for building trust between police and the public. “Sometimes are reluctant to speak to police because of the position that we hold,” explained Officer in Charge of Whitsunday Station Senior Sergeant Anthony Moynihan. “Sometimes the only interaction that people ever have with the police in their life is through something se
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Last week, Daydream Island and Tourism Whitsundays hosted an action-packed ATEC Explore North Queensland event and The Whitsundays was proudly front and centre. Hosted by the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC), the event brought together international travel buyers and local tourism operators from North Queensland to help strengthen the region’s international presence. With 11 Whitsundays operators present and eight from Tropical North Queensland, our region was passionately represented.
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The Whitsunday Sailing Club is stepping up its family-friendly offerings with the launch of a new 'Kids Eat Free' menu, available every day of the week. This initiative makes it easier and more affordable for families to enjoy quality dining in one of Airlie Beach’s most iconic waterfront locations. The bistro serves a wide range of meals made with fresh local ingredients, offering something to please every palate—including little ones. The Whitsunday Sailing Club offers more than just 'Kids E
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With Boots, Bulls & Big Tunes Country Fest Queensland kicks off this weekend, and all roads lead to the Mackay region for one of the country’s most exciting regional events. Gates open Thursday for campers, with the festival firing up that evening with a boot-stompin’ Honky Tonk Kick-Off Party — setting the stage for a high-energy weekend of music, community, and good ol’ fashioned fun. This year, Country Fest QLD is pulling out all the stops. From kids rides and food eating competitions (can
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