Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
On Saturday 30 November, Bronwyn and Matt Calder officially opened the doors to FISHI Proserpine and felt a warm welcome from the local and surrounding community as well as Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm. “The response has been fantastic!” shared Bronwyn. “There was much anticipation, and we have been overwhelmed with how supportive the community has been.” With Matt himself holding well over twenty-five years of experience in the fishing and seafood industry, the pair will soon celebrate
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Affectionately known as Dr Bill, Dr William Bowman became Proserpine’s first full-time veterinarian when he established Proserpine Vet Surgery in 1975. Over the decades, the clinic has grown into a trusted pillar of the community, now approaching its 50th year of service. Dr Bill dedicated his career to caring for the region’s animals and their owners, providing full-time veterinary care until his retirement in 2010. In the 1990s, he was joined by Dr Faye McPherson, who began locuming at the cl
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At the weekend Ride Whitsundays, a local bike shop and community hub in the Whitsundays, celebrated its third birthday. Owners Cole and Kerr Claxton, locals to the Whitsundays with backgrounds in tourism and action sports, are passionate about building a vibrant cycling and mountain biking hub for the community, where enthusiasts of all levels can connect and explore the sport. Cole Claxton expressed his excitement about reaching the three-year milestone: “We’re incredibly excited. I can’t belie
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Many people kick off the festive season by settling in to watch Love Actually—a beloved holiday tradition. But this year, why not elevate the experience with Christmas, Actually. Join the Proserpine Entertainment Centre for a sensational live performance of your favourite tunes from the iconic Love Actually soundtrack. This festive celebration is set to bring the magic of the holiday season to life with a rockstar band featuring some of Australia’s top musicians and vocalists, including Joshua R
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The Airlie Beach Hotel invites you to celebrate the holiday season with its mouthwatering Christmas Lunch buffet this Saturday, 7 December, from 12pm to 2:30pm. This festive feast promises a delicious variety of hot and cold dishes to suit every palate. The Hot Selection includes classic favourites like honey-baked ham with honey mustard sauce, roast lamb with rosemary gravy, and roast chicken pieces with gravy. Indulge in comforting sides such as broccoli and cheese macaroni, garlic and rosema
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This non-alcoholic christmas punch recipe is the perfect holiday drink. It can be made in a big batch for a christmas party or for 1. If you're hunting for an easy, delicious non-alcoholic Christmas punch, you've found it. Planning a holiday event can be busy enough without having the additional task of preparing and serving drinks, so why not whip this up in advance and your guests can serve themselves! INGREDIENTS • 2 cups Low sugar cranberry juice • 1 cup Orange juice • 1 cup Pi
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Prep Cook Serves 20m 05m 6 As Beyoncé famously says, "I don’t think you’re ready for this jelly!" And trust me, you’ll want to be. These mini-Christmas pudding jellies are made with a surprisingly delicious chocolate jelly (yes, it sounds unusual, but it works!) and are topped with a luscious white chocolate drizzle. To add the perfect festive touch, they’re decorated with chopped spearmint lolly leaves and M&M’s Minis, making them the cutest individual Christmas desserts ever! Ingredient
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Prepare to rock, roll and welcome the new year like never before with an ultimate New Year’s Eve celebration at the Airlie Beach Hotel! To round off 2024 in style, one of the hottest venues along the Whitsunday coastline is gearing up to host an unforgettable night with the Australian INXS Show - a fully immersive, “Wembley-style” tribute to one of the greatest rock bands of all time, headlining the celebrations. Hold onto to your drumsticks because this epic event will take you on a four-ho
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Friday 6 December The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers(7pm–10pm) Grand View Hotel: Live Music (4pm–8pm) Saturday 7 December The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Xmas Party Buffet (2pm–5.30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm–10pm) Grand View Hotel: Live Music (4pm–8pm) Coral Sea Pavilion: Live Music (from 1pm)Coral Sea Pavilion: Chill DJ Session (2pm–6pm) Sunday 8 December The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: 70s & 80s Cabaret Show (2pm–5.30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Sam McCann (6:30p
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Mikey, a sweet and loving dog rescued from death row at the Burdekin pound, is still searching for his forever home. Fully vetted, desexed, microchipped, and vaccinated, Mikey is a big goofball with a gentle heart. His foster family describes him as affectionate, obedient, and easy to train. He’s learned basic commands like "sit" and walks well on a lead. Mikey gets along with other dogs and would do best with older kids, as his size might overwhelm little ones. Mikey needs a home with secure fe
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Embrace the true magic and spirit of the silly season this Sunday with the wonderfully festive and highly anticipated Proserpine Community Christmas Market! A celebrated community event, the market will be held on Sunday 8 December from 8:30am through to 12:30pm at Proserpine’s Cyclone Shelter and promises attendees a world of holiday cheer for both the immediate and wider community to enjoy. A delightful abundance of holiday treats, handmade crafts and family-friendly activities will be on o
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December 5 Morning Melodies – Andrews & Bing Christmas Swing, at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, from 11am 6 Toni Childs: A Retrospective, at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, from 7.30pm 7 Airlie Beach parkrun’s 9th Anniversary, from 7am 7 Women in Boating – On the Reef, Coral Sea Marina, The Lookout Lounge, from 5:30pm 8 Bowen Community Sunday Market, Hansen Park, from 8am 8 Proserpine Community Christmas Market, Proserpine Cyclone Shelter, from
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The joy and wonder of the festive season are set to shine brightly this Saturday, 7 December, as Murroona Gardens hosts its much-anticipated 2024 Community Christmas Carols. Held at the Murroona Gardens Wellness Centre in West Lane, Bowen, the event promises an enchanting evening of carols, community spirit, and holiday cheer. Families, friends, and locals are invited to come together to celebrate the season in a magical atmosphere filled with music, fun activities, and festive treats. Adding to
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The Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors had the opportunity last week to join Cherene from Driftwood Tours on a 3-hour Airlie Highlights tour. On her clean, comfortable bus, the Ambassadors were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at some of the hidden gems in the Airlie Beach area that Cherene introduces to cruise ship guests. A highlight of the day was the stunning vista and photo ops offered by the lounge at Shute Harbour Terminal. The group also discovered some tucked-away spots at Shute Haven
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The Whitsundays isn’t just about beautiful beaches and islands – it’s also home to a fascinating history, and you can dive into it at the region's local museums. Each one tells a unique story, from the traditions of the First Nations peoples to the area's industrial past and wartime history. Start with the Proserpine Historical Museum, right in the heart of Proserpine. Here, you'll learn about the region’s sugar cane and cattle industries, as well as the lives of the Juru, Gia, Bira, and Ngaro p
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The Moulin Rouge Soirée, hosted at Whisper Restaurant & Gin Bar in Airlie Beach, was a resounding success, raising $10,322 to support the construction of staff and nursing quarters at the Arthur Wina Memorial Hospital in Zambia. The sold-out cocktail party and cabaret show, held on Friday, 15 November, welcomed 50 guests who enjoyed a dazzling performance by Georgia Darcy, a cabaret artist from Victoria. Sandy Clark, who has been fundraising for the hospital through the Dignity Zambia initia
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New lifejacket regulations came into effect across the state on Sunday 1 December, 2024 as part of the Queensland Government’s initiative to increase maritime safety. Although enforcement of these new laws will be delayed until 1 July 2025, the Queensland Government advises boaters to understand and abide by these changes to stay safe and compliant on the water. “We will be focusing on education, with enforcement delayed until 1 July 2025, to ensure all boaties are aware of the change,” said
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Whitsunday Dirt Riders’ young talent, Kai Moran, captured national attention with a second-place finish in the 85cc (9-13 years) category at the Australian Junior Dirt Track Championships in Somersby, NSW. At just 13, Kai impressed with his skill and determination, narrowly missing the top spot. Bowen’s Harrison O’Brien also stood out, receiving an encouragement award for his promising performance in his first year on the 85cc bike. Kai’s success follows a stellar season, including fourth plac
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Competitors from across the region gathered for the Port Denison Gun Club’s November monthly and Christmas shoots, making for a memorable weekend filled with competition, camaraderie, and holiday cheer. Shooters from Townsville, the Burdekin, and Mackay / Sarina joined the locals for a weekend of exciting events, many of them camping out in swags, tents, and caravans, making the most of the opportunity to enjoy the club's festive spirit. Saturday kicked off the weekend with a great turnout, as
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Eight exceptional junior athletes from the Whitsundays were honoured for their outstanding sporting achievements during an Ordinary Council meeting on Wednesday 27 November. The athletes, who have excelled in their respective sports at regional, state, and national levels, were recognised by Whitsunday Mayor Ry Collins and the Councillors for their dedication and hard work. These athletes are part of the Junior Elite Athletes initiative, a program offered by the Whitsunday Regional Council to p
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The Whitsunday Golf Club wrapped up its final official event of the year with a farewell lunch and presentation at the Reef Gateway Hotel on Saturday, 23 November. The event, which brought together club members and supporters, was a heartwarming celebration of the club’s journey, particularly honouring the efforts of Kerry Hall, who played a pivotal role in reviving the club in years past. The afternoon was filled with laughter, fun, and nostalgia, as members reflected on the memorable moments
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Rain earlier in the day didn’t dampen the spirits at Gloucester Sport & Recreation in Hydeaway Bay, where the community gathered on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the opening of their brand-new pickleball courts. The facility now boasts two dedicated pickleball courts and a third court shared with a half-basketball setup, marking an exciting development for local sports enthusiasts. The event was attended by Cr Amanda Camm and Cr Gary Simpson, who both showed strong support for the growing pop
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The Cannonvale Cannons had a busy and successful weekend, with seven swimmers competing in the Hamilton Island Triathlon and Ocean Swims. On Saturday 23 November, Matilda Nicholes, Don Algie, Penelope Shields, and River Shields showcased their endurance and enthusiasm in the triathlon events. On Sunday 24 November, Thomas Ganter, Don Algie, and River Shields tackled the 350m Ocean Swim with outstanding performances. Jacob Bell delivered an exceptional result in the 2km Ocean Swim, securing thi
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On Tuesday 26 November, despite some early rain, the weather cleared just in time for the Proserpine Veterans Golf competition. A total of thirty-two players participated in a Stableford round, and the results showed some impressive scores across both the ladies' and men's divisions. In the ladies’ division, the winner was Allison McCarthy, who achieved an outstanding 45 points – a truly remarkable performance. The runner-up was Jenny Hounsell, who also played exceptionally well, finishing with
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Asbestos exposure doesn’t announce itself. It lurks silently, often undetected for decades, until it strikes with devastating force. For a former Mackay mother, Leah Smith, this invisible killer stole her life just eight months after her diagnosis with mesothelioma, a rare and incurable cancer caused by inhaling asbestos fibres. Her family, friends, and community were left heartbroken, but they refused to let her story end there. To honour Leah’s life and raise awareness of the hidden dangers of
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