Join us for the Greater Whitsunday’s Vet Services Official Open Day, an exciting event filled with entertainment, great prizes, and family-friendly activities. The day promises something fun for everyone, with over $1000 worth of lucky door prizes and giveaways up for grabs! There will be so many stalls set up offering a wide variety of products you’ll find something to take home. The stalls including timber markets, jewellery, pet accessories, baby essentials, chutney, and even equine suppleme
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Get Along with Georgia!Greater Whitsunday Vet Services Operational Manager, Georgia Bowser, is a Proserpine local, born and raised on the farm. Georgia rotates between the Proserpine and Bowen clinics throughout the week ensuring that the staff and productivity of the business is on track. Georgia has over 8 Years experience as a Veterinary Nurse and brings a wealth of practical knowledge to the clinic. She enjoys coaching and training staff whilst allowing innovative ideas from the team for fu
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For years, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre has been keen to add one key essential service, and in May this is due to finally come to fruition. Orange Sky Laundry Pod will open, providing much-needed laundry services to the region’s most vulnerable. This service is the result of dedicated advocacy by the Centre, which had long been pushing for help. After discussions with the previous state government and Megan Scanlan, the Minister for Housing, the need for services like what Orange Sky can
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Exciting news for Bowen as Flagstaff Hill's iconic café is reopening. Bringing modern Australian-Italian cuisine to one of the most breathtaking locations in the Whitsundays. After being damaged by a cyclone and undergoing a rebuild two years ago, the café is about ready to welcome guests once again. Set to open just before the Easter school holidays, this new eatery will offer panoramic views of the Coral Sea, with floor-to-ceiling windows ensuring the beauty of the Whitsundays is never out of
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Down at Port of Airlie is the delightful Zorro’s Cafe & Bar. Just a short walk from Airlie Beach,this local gem has a great menu and ambience attractive to locals and tourists with its picturesque views over the water. Owned and run by Perri and Terry, and named after their friendly little dog, Zorro’s is a place that everyone can sit down and enjoy. They have a changing seasonal menu, guaranteeing that all their delicious meal options are fresh and locally sourced. Catering to any and all diet
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This week, we have experienced a variety of activations, ranging from the solemn task of transporting a deceased individual, an essential, albeit sad service—to the urgent evacuation of a very sick child during extremely poor weather conditions. One of the notable calls was a small fishing boat that broke down in 36-knot winds at night, requiring a tow to safety. At the same time, VMR1 was already engaged in an urgent Medevac operation. A second crew was called in to deploy VMR2, our 7m semirig
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This year, St. Patrick's Day falls on a Monday, so why not kick off the festivities early and extend the celebration all weekend long? Airlie Beach Hotel is bringing the party to you with a smashing St. Patrick’s Weekender, headlining Vertigo – The U2 Experience on Saturday, March 15th and Sunday, March 16th. Starting at 2 pm each day, these free shows are set to deliver the energy, passion, and sonic brilliance that only U2 can provide along with a set of contemporary cover, courtesy of one of
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Café Operator, Robbie Miles, has brought fresh energy and a new vision to the Clubhouse Cafe at Whitsunday Green Golf Course, transforming it from just a post-game pit stop to a versatile venue that welcomes everyone, not just golfers. Since taking over in October, Robbie, a chef with a rich background from both the UK and Australia, has been dedicated to making the cafe the go-to hub for both the local community and visitors. Operating daily from 8am to 6 pm, with a liquor license until midnig
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The Whitsunday region marked a historic moment with the official opening of Club Whitsunday in the Whitsunday Sports Park precinct at Airlie Beach. The Honourable Mr. Andrew Willcox MP, Federal Member for Dawson, had the distinct pleasure of cutting the ribbon on this groundbreaking development, which promises to be a cornerstone for both the region’s sporting culture and community spirit. Club Whitsunday, now fully operational and trading for lunch and dinner seven days a week, offers a range
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Did you know? If you have a pool or a spa on your property, it must be registered with the QBCC. As well as having a compliant fence, pools must also have visible and weatherproof CPR signage. To ensure the safety of yourself and others using your pool or spa, regularly inspect its fence or barrier for rust, loose hinges, or broken panels, and arrange repairs as needed. Make sure no climbable objects like furniture or toys are near the fence. Taking these few small steps can make a big differ
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When 78-year-old Margaret lined up at Coles to pay for her groceries, she never expected a stranger’s kindness to turn her day around. As she reached the checkout, she fumbled with her phone, trying to transfer funds. “She couldn’t get service or her phone to work to cover her bill,” her granddaughter later explained. Margaret then stepped aside to try again. Moments later, a Coles employee approached her with surprising news. A kind gentleman behind her in line had paid for her items
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Eve O Schaub, in her book ‘Year of No Garbage: Recycling Lies, Plastic Problems, and One Woman’s Trashy Journey to Zero Waste,’ set out to find out whether a person could really live without garbage and gave garbage up for a year to live the recycling dream. She discovered very quickly that: • Recycling can feel like a full-time job, as finding where and how to recycle products often leads to dead ends. Most people don’t have the time for this complexity, nor should it be so difficult.
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Free customer service workshops will be held in Bowen and Airlie Beach in March for business owners, staff, and volunteers. Everyone involved in welcoming guests to our region will benefit from the ‘Whitsundays Welcomes You’ program – an opportunity to enhance guest experiences and showcase the unique charm of our region. This initiative is part of a statewide program designed to empower the industry to share their pride and passion for the Whitsundays while providing a warm, inclusive, and welc
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I grew up in a family business. Being a receptionist, a gatekeeper, and an excellent taker of phone messages is in my blood. I have seen firsthand the long days, the growth, and the steep learning curve that comes with technological advances— from typewriters to computers and dot matrix printers, from two-way radios to mobile phones. As a kid, there was obviously a lot I wasn’t privy to—the real pain points of small business owners: managing a team, paying wages, paying rent, and everythi
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St Patrick’s College Mackay has a long history of offering excellence in education as a Catholic Coeducational College in the Diocese of Rockhampton catering for Years 7 to 12. Families looking for a quality Catholic Secondary education in Mackay are invited to attend the St Patrick’s College Mackay Open Night being held on Wednesday 19 March at the Mercy Campus in Penn Street, Mackay from 4.00pm to 7.00pm. Prospective parents and students are warmly invited to join us for an enjoyable and i
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Friday 28th FebruaryCrochet and Conversation9amJoin the friendly group of Northern Beaches locals at Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade for a morning of crocheting, coffee, and conversation. BYO crochet tools or borrow from our communal box. All skill levels welcome. This is a great opportunity to connect, share experiences, and start our next project for the Northern Beaches community in 2025.Beachfront Bar and Restaurant, BucasiaTrue Street Cars 2025 Kick-off 6pmThe first officia
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Exciting structural upgrades and enhanced security have created a safer, more inviting space for Sarina children to play. The Sarina and District Community Kindergarten Association (Sarina Kindy) has improved its facilities with new stage decking and upgraded security cameras, made possible by a $17,470 community grant from Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank. The project enabled a significant refit and upgrade to the deteriorating stage decking in the outdoor play area. Sarina Kindy Gran
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Choosing the right estate agent may seem like a minor decision, but it is one of the most important factors when selling or buying a property. The right agent can make all the difference in finding your dream home or securing the best deal for your sale. Here are five key tips to help you find the perfect estate agent: 1. Do Your Research Before selecting an agent, take the time to research their experience, track record, and reputation. Look at online reviews, past sales, and client testimonia
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Cent sales are always billed as ‘mega’ but Sarina Arts and Craft Centre’s upcoming event will be exactly that. Centre manager Jenny Costello and a core group of helpers are putting together an amazing collection of prizes for the sale, at the Sarina Sporting and Services Club on Saturday, March 8. “We’ve had a marvelous response from business, organisations and people within the Sarina and wider Mackay area as we’ve been collecting for the sale,” Jenny said. “We have lots of high-quality priz
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A Mackay ICU doctor is investigating how the immune system responds to a deadly soil-borne bacterial disease, which is surging across Far North Queensland, in an effort to help tailor treatment. Cases of the life-threatening infection, melioidosis, have climbed to 41 in North Queensland this year following recent wet weather. This includes 27 cases in Cairns, 11 in Townsville, and three in Mackay, with two tragic deaths reported. Mackay Base Hospital Intensivist Dr Eamon Raith secured fu
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From nerves to newfound freedom, local resident Telina, has proven that hard work and determination can lead to meaningful milestones. An Endeavour Foundation, Mackay Business Solutions site employee for nearly 30 years, Telina has recently achieved a significant personal goal – she’s purchased her own car. Her sights are now set on driving independently. “I was very nervous when I first started to drive, as I had been waiting for years for it to happen,” Telina shared. “I studied every ch
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Introducing Mackay Base Hospital’s newest edition to the crew Tali - a wheaten Border Collie whose mission is to simply look cute and spread love to patients in need. For some time now, the Mackay Hospital Foundation has been teaming up with Mackay Hospital and Health Service to get the official green light for a therapy dog at Mackay Base Hospital. Clinical Nurse Claire works alongside Tali as a clinical therapy dog team, through Therapy Dogs. Every week, Tali and Claire brighten up the Eat
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A delegation of 12 leading agribusinesses and innovators from the Greater Whitsunday region have travelled to Brisbane this week to attend evokeAG 2025, Asia-Pacific’s premier agrifood innovation event. Supported by the Greater Whitsunday Agtech Hub and Regional Development Australia (RDA), this delegation had the opportunity to learn, experience, and promote the Greater Whitsunday region while exploring potential partnerships and collaboration opportunities that will strengthen regional
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A new bursary has been announced to recognise the late Liz Alexander’s significant contributions to agricultural innovation in Queensland and beyond. Unveiled by the Minister for Primary Industries at evokeAG 2025 - the Asia-Pacific region’s premier agrifood innovation event in Brisbane - the bursary will support an emerging AgTech leader by covering the cost of attending a future evokeAG forum. The Crisafulli Government has honoured Alexander’s pioneering work by naming the initiative i
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The World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement that unites Christians in prayer and worship. This year, the Mackay community is invited to gather on Friday, 7th March at 10:00 AM at St Ambrose Church, Glenpark Street, North Mackay, to take part in this special service of faith and fellowship. Each year, a different country prepares the service, highlighting its culture, challenges, and faith. In 2025, the Cook Islands has prepared the worship program with the theme “I Made You Wonderfu
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