Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
A mate of mine has got one of those modern cars that never shut up. It can’t keep secrets either. He works in the city and when he jumps in the car around 11.30am on a weekday, it announces: “The Austral Hotel is three minutes away.” A bit forward, in my view. The car thinks it knows him pretty well and feels it can predict where he is going and what he’s likely to be up to. My friend would like to hear a bit less talk and a bit more keeping your thoughts to yourself, thank you. But in the world
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School is winding down, workloads are becoming lighter, and people are making fools of themselves at the Christmas party. Christmas time for me is always a question of where am I now? Flying home from wherever life has us at the time, whether it's Canberra, Darwin or Mackay, I'm always flying home. But, not this year. I’ll be driving down the beautiful coastline to Byron Bay, shout out to Mum and Dad for organising our family holiday. It just goes to show, that even at 27, Mum and Dad are st
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It’s not long now until Queensland’s fastest swimmers battle it out at the 2024 Hancock Prospecting Queensland Championships! Mackay Cyclones have 11 swimmers attending over the next week from the 14-20 December. This also marks the first time eligible to attend, due to age, for two of the team’s younger 12-year-old swimmers, Dakota and Tamika. Competitors: Audrey Bryan - Audrey will be competing in 7 events: 50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle, 50 Breaststroke, 100 Breaststroke, 200 Breaststroke, 5
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The QCCS Mackay Cutters are focused on a strong start to the 2025 Hostplus Cup season, eager to avoid the setbacks that plagued them last year. Losing early matches in 2024 left the team struggling to gain momentum, but with a renewed squad and strategic leadership, hopes are high for a resurgence. Central to the club’s aspirations is the appointment of Adam Cuthbertson as head coach. A veteran of more than 300 games in the NRL and Super League, Cuthbertson brings extensive experience to the rol
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The North Mackay Sinkers are offering a special 13-month membership for 2025, giving new members the opportunity to join in December and enjoy a club dedicated to helping swimmers achieve their fitness goals in a supportive and enjoyable environment. Members will receive free entry into the club’s new and returning member raffle, which features a prize valued at over $100. Financial members will also enjoy complimentary access to Wednesday club sessions, providing significant savings. New and
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Results for week ending Saturday 7 December 2024 Monday 2 December 2024 – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points 1st Mary Cruickshank - Ian Cruickshank 1st Marilin Robins - Mick Robins 2nd Barbara Tait - Margaret Lane 2nd Diane Holewa - Max Holewa 3rd Janelle Conroy - Tex Sheedy 3rd Monica Darley - Nancy Martin Tuesday 3 December 2024 – 5 Table Howell Green Points 1st Geoff Taylor - Janelle Conroy 2nd Helen Van Den Broek - Tex Sheedy 3rd Shirley Worland - Mari
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On Wednesday 27 November the Marian Ladies Bowls Club brought along their Share the Dignity Bags for the year, with a total of 20 bags to be given to charity. The Marian Ladies have been doing this for the last six years to “help those who are needing help.” The ladies are now crocheting and knitting squares to create small blankets, which will be donated to aged care homes for wheelchair users during chilly days. They have officially finished bowls for the year and are not playing again un
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Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures December 3, 2024: Division 1: Azalea (Mark Sleeman, Barry Patterson, Janice Kent) d Barra (Anne Sheridan, Lee Brake, Trent Day) 6-5. Slee d Trent -6, -6, 6, 8, 11. Andro (Allan Edwards, Emma Widdup, Graeme Walker) d Aqua (Neil Brown, Geoff Denman, Ian McKay) 8-3. Emma d Neil -9, 6, 4, 3. Alfa (Vince Boeske, Goncalo Serra, Tony Bowman) d Corgi (Robbie Richards, Lily Boland, Will VanDeKaa) 7-4. Vince d Will -9, 4, -3, 2, 8. Division 2: Cockatoos (Cr
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Great things happen when women support women. This was abundantly evident among the 125 Whitsunday women who stepped out in support of Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) at The Garden Bar in Airlie Beach last Friday afternoon. Together with a humbling array of local businesses providing services, donations and raffle prizes for the ‘Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs’ event, this powerhouse collective raised a whopping $12,000-plus in just four short hours of fun, camaraderie and friendship.
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The team at award-winning Airlie Beach boat and yacht hire service, Whitsunday Escape, is throwing support behind ‘Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs’ fundraising initiatives by donating an epic charter experience to the cause. General Manager, Jaclyn Watson, announced at the Cocktails for a Cause event that proceeds from the company’s annual charity raffle for a luxury five-night Whitsunday charter, will be donated to WLSQ through the Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs campaign. “This cause holds deep
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Great things happen when women support women. This was abundantly evident among the 125 Whitsunday women who stepped out in support of Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) at The Garden Bar in Airlie Beach last Friday afternoon. Together with a humbling array of local businesses providing services, donations and raffle prizes for the ‘Team Whitsundays Dancing CEOs’ event, this powerhouse collective raised a whopping $12,000-plus in just four short hours of fun, camaraderie and friendship.
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Hi Everyone, It's crazy to think that this time six months ago I moved from Sydney to the Whitsundays to start my new life out here all on my own. I remember how I felt at the time, and the day before I was leaving, worried about making new friends, sad about leaving the friends I had made in Sydney, and apprehensive about whether this regional area would be for me. Despite the fear, deep down I was excited to see where this new path would lead. Now, fast-forward six months from the nervous R
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One local resident who has been through serious trauma this year is a whole lot happier after receiving the news that Whitsunday Regional Council is organising her family to visit over Christmas. Michelle Wardrope tragically lost her leg following a seemingly innocent fall on her driveway in April this year. The mum of one received a gash to her leg when she slipped on her driveway and went to hospital where the wound was cleaned and stitched before she was sent home. It was later that night
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Proserpine Youth Space marked an incredible 25 years of making a difference in the community with a spectacular celebration last Friday. The event was bursting with energy, featuring everything from trampoline fun and face painting to delicious sausage sizzles and cake. Locals of all ages gathered to celebrate this milestone, reflecting on the Youth Space’s vital role in the community. Mayor Ry Collins highlighted how, beyond the fun, the space provides essential support for young people facing
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A brand-new artisan distillery has opened in Airlie Beach to rave reviews, producing premium handcrafted gin and vodka with a distinctly Whitsundays twist. 74 Islands Distillery, nestled within the stunning Elementa Whitsundays venue in Airlie Beach, is distinguished by its unwavering commitment to exceptional quality and craftsmanship. What truly sets it apart is its dedication to the art of drinking well, elevating the experience with the use of reverse osmosis water and a showstopping copper
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Road users are reminded to take care when navigating areas where road re-sealing is underway at various locations over the next four months. The $7.8M road re-sealing project commenced this week at the Whitsunday Coast Airport Road and will continue to be rolled-put on specific roads across the region until March 2025. Council urges motorists to take care, stay alert and be considerate to others: “Please note, that as re-seals occur, line marking cannot be completed for approximately three we
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Earlier this week a new Red Bench was unveiled by Mayor Ry Collins at Shingley Beach in Cannonvale, as part of the Red Rose Foundation LGAQ Walk Against Domestic Violence campaign. It is one of four Red Benches that will be central places for reflection in the Whitsunday region. Other locations are set to include Lions Park, Collinsville; Case Park in Bowen, and Ken McPherson Park, Proserpine. Zonta Club of Whitsundays oversaw the installation of the Red Bench at Shingley Beach. The local not-f
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A spate of vehicle crimes over the weekend has prompted some local residents to reach out on social media to warn others and raise awareness. Technology has worked in the favour of one Mackay business owner who was able to track his stolen car to the Whitsundays and use the on-board GPS tracking device to help identify potential future locations where he suspects car thefts might occur. “We have followed it from Mackay to the place where it is now located,” said the post which was published on
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The completion of the Whitsunday Healthy Heart Project (WHHP) was celebrated at Mantra Club Croc, last week with dozens of local participating businesses in attendance to commend the success of the overall intiative. The WHHP is a four-year program funded by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Whitsunday Regional Council as part of the Reef Islands Initiative Whitsundays Project, aiming to drive and facilitate greener, more sustainable business practices in the Whitsundays tourism sector, inc
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A huge thank you to everyone who attended the combined Tourism Whitsundays and Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce end-of-year networking event at the Airlie Beach Hotel. It was a great night with everyone enjoying the mixed company and relaxed format, and to support the silent auction with all proceeds going to Eco Barge Clean Seas. The event reminded us that the silly season is upon us. Are you ready? No matter what business you’re in, now is the time to prepare for the next few months. Regular st
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In the 2023/24 financial year, Whitsunday Regional Council hosted 28 events across the region, attracting approximately 8,127 attendees. These events brought the community together, providing opportunities for connection, entertainment and engagement throughout the Whitsundays. From cultural festivals and community celebrations to educational workshops and family-friendly activities, these events aim to enrich the community spirit and add vibrancy to life in the region.
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It was a privilege to be at Shingley Beach in Cannonvale on Tuesday to officially unveil one of four Red Benches in the Whitsunday region as part of the Red Rose Foundation – LGAQ Walk Against Domestic Violence campaign. Council is installing four red benches across our region—in Airlie Beach, Cannonvale, Proserpine, and Collinsville—as a visible commitment to ending domestic violence. These benches will be placed at Lions Park, Collinsville; Case Park in Bowen, Shingley Beach, Cannonvale and
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Alita DeBrincat was recently celebrated as the Queensland Touch Administrator of the Year at the 2024 Queensland Touch Football Awards which was held in the Gold Coast on Monday 2 December. Alita has held the position of President of the Whitsunday Touch Association for the past three years and was recognised as Touch Football Australia’s Volunteer of the Month in June for her continued commitment to the club. “It takes every single member in our club to make it great, and we’re so lucky to hav
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As summer heats up in the Whitsunday region, so do your cars. Leaving children or pets in the car, even for a quick errand, may seem harmless, but it can have serious, potentially life-threatening consequences. Recently, Whitsunday community members have raised concerns on social media after spotting individuals leaving children or animals unattended in vehicles locally. One Facebook post on the Whitsunday Chat group captured the growing frustration: “Nothing is so urgent that you need to pay
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This Christmas, Pets Domain Bowen is partnering with Bowen Collinsville Pet Rescue Inc. to bring some extra holiday cheer to rescue animals in need. Pets Domain Bowen invites the community to visit the store and explore the stories and photos of the incredible rescue pets currently available for adoption. To participate in the Secret Santa initiative, simply choose a name from the board. Then, purchase a toy, treat, or other special goodies for that furry friend! Gifts will be wrapped and placed
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