In a powerful celebration of empathy, leadership, and community spirit, the B Kinder Foundation hosted its very first B Kinder High School Summit on 29 May 2025. Held at Proserpine State High School, the event brought together student leaders from Bowen State High School, Whitsunday Christian College, and St Catherine’s Catholic College. Far from a typical school event, the summit was designed to inspire students to become agents of change within their schools and communities. Through a series
Read more
Hi Everyone, Whale season is here, and I’m eagerly awaiting the first sighting! This is truly my favorite time of year, there’s nothing quite like watching them swim alongside their calves, and send plumes of spray into the sky. To celebrate, I have had the idea to launch a fun new feature in Ruth2Reef called Whale Watch Weekly! If you capture a photo of one of these incredible whales, please send it to ruth@lifepublishinggroup.com. Your photo could be featured in an upcoming edition, with fu
Read more.png)
The first humpback whales we are likely to see close to the islands are pregnant females or females with newborns. Humpback mothers with calves spend as much of their time logging as possible. Logging is a form of rest where humpback whales float motionless near the water's surface, much like a log. They remain near the surface with their blowholes exposed to the air, allowing them to breathe. Whales must remain conscious while sleeping to breathe. During this resting state, humpback whales
Read more
A once-abandoned gold mine near Proserpine is drawing renewed attention after modern testing revealed the presence of a large, mineralised system, with only a small area explored to date. The historic Dittmer Mine, discovered in 1934 and closed in 1951 after producing more than 54,000 ounces of gold, is being revived by Ballymore Resources. The company rekindled interest in the site last year after mapping and sampling unearthed several high-grade gold zones. Underground explorations have since
Read more
The Whitsundays will soon play host to one of Australia’s most respected economic voices. David Robertson, Chief Economist at Bendigo Bank, is heading to Proserpine on Thursday, 10 July for a special community event – and everyone’s invited. Known for his ability to make complex economic trends easy to understand, David’s engaging and down-to-earth style has earned him a strong following, including on his popular YouTube series. With more than two decades at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and a ca
Read more%20(1).JPG)
On Thursday, I had the privilege of welcoming guests to our Shute Harbour Marine Terminal to mark World Environment Day—a powerful reminder of why we must protect what makes our region so special. As the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, our Whitsundays is one of the most ecologically significant places in the world. From our reef to our rainforest, we’re not just caretakers of the environment—we’re leaders in sustainable tourism. Thursday’s event brought together environmental leaders, tourism
Read more
Whitsundays Dancing CEOs Crowned 2025 Fundraising Champions & Win Community Awareness Award Coral Sea Marina’s Kate Purdie, SeaLink Whitsundays’ Julie Telford, Whitsunday Transit’s Candice Crossley and Whitsunday Family Dental’s Alice Harriott are officially ‘Dancing Queens’ after raising nearly a quarter-of-a-million dollars for Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) at Brisbane’s City Hall on Saturday night. Representing the Whitsundays as the region’s inaugural team of ‘Dancing CEOs’, these
Read more
Monday’s self-selected triples saw Jim Steele, Chris Healey and Jenny Healey emerge victorious over Keith Janette and Norm Dawson in a strong performance. In other matches, Ron Hyde, Maureen Hyde and Alby Vigar defeated Sugar Brunker, Kevin Daniels and Kennedy Whitton. Trish, Bob and Leon also claimed a win over Robyn, Isobel and Merle. The jackpot remained elusive. On Tuesday, winners were decided on Rink 4, with Lindy Suann, Margaret Wilson and Penny Warren defeating Merle Elphinstone, Gavin
Read more
This month, we meet Chamber members Jen and Doug O’Connor of Option Insurance Brokers—a new Whitsundays-based business offering personalised insurance solutions for businesses and individuals across Australia. Established in 2024, Option Insurance Brokers provides tailored cover across all major insurance types, including business packages, liability, commercial motor, professional indemnity, cyber, home and contents, landlord and more. Drawing on over a decade of industry experience in both co
Read more
The Whitsundays is celebrating a historic milestone in its tourism industry, with over 120 local businesses across the region recognised in the 2025 Best of Queensland Experience Program (BOQEP). This record-breaking achievement cements the Whitsundays’ status as one of Queensland’s premier tourism destinations, showcasing the region’s diverse offerings and commitment to delivering world-class visitor experiences. From boutique accommodations and exciting tours to unique attractions, delicious
Read more
As the cooler months settle in, mid-winter is the perfect time to give your home a thorough deep clean. Beyond the usual dusting and vacuuming, focusing on upholstery, concrete surfaces, and rugs can transform your space into a fresh, healthy haven. Here are some expert tips to get started: Upholstery Cleaning: Why Professionals Matter Your couches, chairs, and cushions absorb dust, oils, and allergens daily. Did you know that over time, dirty upholstery can become a hotspot for bacteri
Read more
Did you Know? This Friday 6 June is Queensland Day! Join us for a free community event at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre from 4pm as we celebrate all things maroon! There’s something for everyone; free activities and facepainting for kids, market stalls, Aussie animal encounters, live music, circus shows, food vans and free lamingtons! As the celebrations outside draw to a close, stick around for a special cinema screening of Crocodile Dundee – The Encore Cut at 7.30pm (tickets sold sepa
Read more-1749009824.jpg)
Over the weekend, seven members of our team proudly represented Life Publishing Group at the Queensland Country Press Awards (QCPA) in Brisbane. We were absolutely thrilled when our publications each took home an award — Mackay and Whitsunday Life earned gold for Marketing Campaign of the Year, Burdekin Life received silver for Best ROP Feature, and our talented cadet journalist Victoria Velton was awarded bronze for Young Journalist of the Year for her powerful coverage of the floods in Hinchi
Read more
Living on the picturesque Hayman Island hasn’t stopped Hang Nguyen from chasing her dream of working in early childhood education. The dedicated student is currently completing a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (CHC30121) through TAFE Queensland, which she studies online to suit her unique island-based lifestyle. “I do my course online because I am based on Hayman,” Hang explained. Hang said that she likes the flexibility of doing the course online, but most she enjoys wh
Read more
Locals are in for a treat with an upcoming Gin and Food Pairing Event that promises to celebrate regional flavours through a unique collaboration between a local venue and boutique 74 Islands Distillery Set just a few weeks away, the event will feature six carefully matched dishes, created by chefs from both Club Whitsunday and 74 Islands Distillery, paired with four gins, two vodkas, and two cocktails crafted with 74 Islands spirits. The distillery, located just up the hill from Club Whitsunda
Read more
With a passion for people, storytelling, and showcasing hidden gems, Cherene Poidevin from Driftwood Tours offers an adventure in the Whitsundays like no other. Recently nominated for a Best of Queensland Experience, Cherene says Driftwood Tours benefits from her 30 plus years of experience and an official accreditation as a Savannah Guide and Eco Nature Guide. Driftwood Tours offers small group tours with a personal touch, built on a genuine connection and a deep love of the region’s history,
Read more
Tourism Whitsundays new brand campaign, Naturally Iconic, is now in full swing. Built around the pillars of our unique natural icons and regional diversity, the campaign positions The Whitsundays as a destination that offers much more than beautiful backdrops. Created in collaboration with Simple (Adelaide) and dentsu Queensland, the campaign captures everything that makes The Whitsundays unforgettable - from reef to rainforest, island escapes to mainland adventures. It’s fresh, vibrant, and al
Read more
Tucked away in a quiet corner, the well-loved Shingley Beach Resort has earned its reputation not just through its picturesque ocean views but by building decades of trust, family memories, and with continuous improvements. The resort, established in 2000, has been a favourite among returning guests, with many having first visited for weddings or honeymoons and now return for anniversaries. Generations of families have created traditions around staying here, turning it into a cherished home-awa
Read more
Coral Sea Resort and Pavilion is thrilled to be nominated for the Best of Queensland Experience Awards as it's a true testament to the passion, dedication, and attention to detail the staff pour into every guest's stay, every dish served, and every special moment they help create. Ideally located on the waterfront in the heart of Airlie Beach, the Coral Sea Pavilion is a favourite for both locals and visitors alike. The restaurant prides itself on showcasing the best of the Whitsundays, with a
Read more
For the first time in front of a public audience, the Grease vs Rocky Horror Ultimate Musical Mashup will be performing at the Airlie Beach Hotel. Expect well-known hits, audience participation at every turn, and a whole heap of fun! The show's co-creator Anita Spring has been a regular performer at the Airlie Beach Hotel for the last six years, but this time she is thrilled to perform a brand-new show. The Grease vs Rocky Horror has only had one private function performance before and this sh
Read more
Following last years success Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network (WSPN) are excited to announce the guest speakers for their Legends Night. WSPN President Matt Stokes said the speakers this year will be inspirational and attendees will come away with pearls of wisdom and knowledge that may help themselves or someone they know is struggling. Legends: Nick Farr-Jones – Former Wallabies captain and rugby legend, Nick has gone on to become a highly successful businessman, serving on various boar
Read more
The Summergarden Cinemas in Bowen was the venue for the monthly Tourism Whitsundays networking event in May. This is the oldest movie theatre in Queensland and has been operated by Ben DeLuca for more than 60 years. Ben said he was very happy to co-host the event, along with Bowen Tourism and Business. He said he was especially pleased to welcome some people for the first time. “Some people had never been to the Bowen theatre before, so it was great to see them here and to show them around,”
Read more
As we wrap up our 2025 end-of-season presentation series, we highlight the swimmers whose dedication, consistency, and sportsmanship stood out over the entire year – along with the parents and volunteers whose efforts help keep the Cannonvale Cannons running strong. One of the most respected honours each year are the Trainers Awards, selected by our coaching team to recognise consistent effort and a positive attitude at training throughout the full 12 months of the season. Trainers Awards Jun
Read more
We’re stoked to report that it’s been a great week in fishing, and that the weather conditions for the week ahead are looking stellar. Dam With the mornings and evenings being colder, barra fishing at the dam has continued to get slower. We have had reports of some being caught in the middle of the day when it’s warmest, with barra sunning themselves in the weed beds. Sight casting and top water lures are most effective here. Estuary Good numbers of mud crabs have been reported across the Leth
Read more