Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
In an attempt to host the one-of-a-kind Australia Day Carnival at the Mackay Bowls Club, Tropical Cyclone Kirrily had other plans and caused the region to prepare for the worst, resulting in a hard decision to postpone the event. Despite the weather warning threats issued throughout the week, a group of determined players declared the weather to be fine on the Friday and continued to play a game of bowls. A game of Scroungers played off in the afternoon with a full group of bowlers brightening
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Thank you to the Mackay Regional Council for sponsoring Mackay Contract Bridge Club’s Australia Day session. An important part of the day was the introduction to play bridge that was held for visitors. Twelve visitors, potential new players were welcomed, which was a great turn out. We hope to see them back for the lessons starting on Tuesday morning, 6th February at 9am or Wednesday night, 7th February at 6.30pm. Any interested people are most welcome to attend. It’s an interesting game that re
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team kicked off at the Bluewater Lagoon for Shawn’s Summer Social Series, experiencing excruciating heat conditions which prevailed throughout the previous week and Australia Day long weekend. Club Captain and Race Director, Jim Ford switched up the course to reduce the exposure of heat by converting the event to a four-loop style. This newly structured route catered for those who were running the longer distances as well as the shorter distances and allowed for runners to monitor themselves thr
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Long-time Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday morning fixture organiser Iris Grasso has been honoured for her dedication to the sport. Iris has been awarded honorary membership for 2024, which entitles her to one year’s free registration. The competition starts this Tuesday, January 30. Iris and Pam Joyce have been the organisers for eight years since 2017, and their involvement goes back 20 years. Steve Mathieson and Tony Bowman have taken over organisation of the fixtures, which kicked off with the
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Mackay's fitness enthusiasts gathered last weekend to kick off the Mackay Triathlon Club's Aquathlon series, and the excitement is far from over. With two more races on the horizon, this aquatic adventure offers a refreshing way to beat the humidity while embracing a multisport challenge. The Aquathlon series unfolds at the Pioneer Pool in North Mackay, providing participants with a unique combination of running and swimming. The course consists of a 2.5-kilometer run followed by a 300-meter swi
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As the sun painted the sky with hues of orange and gold early on Australia Day, Moranbah buzzed with excitement for a unique celebration – the Moranbah Australia Day Triathlon, an initiative proudly hosted by the Isaac Regional Council. The word had spread, and multisport enthusiasts from far and wide eagerly converged on this vibrant community to partake in the thrilling event. Thankfully, TC Kirrily had stayed far enough north to not impose a threat to competitors. The triathlon offered a vari
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A victim of strong winds, massive swells, and king tides, 25ft sailing yacht ‘Second Wind’ was set adrift in the Whitsundays on Thursday night when Cyclone Kirrily made landfall in the vicinity of Townsville. The much-loved recreational cruising vessel which is owned by a local couple, Julien Gallaud and Eloise Tyler, was anchored in Whisper Bay when its anchor chain broke in the middle of the storm.
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Hi Everyone, Last night I returned to the gym for the first time in about eight weeks. Prior to this, I would aim to do some kind of fitness three times a week, often running with my crazy puppy during the cooler months. Over the festive season, however, I switched to a ‘no rules’ diet and lifestyle - I could eat what I liked and be as lazy as I liked! And while it was fantastic to make a pig of myself with chocolate croissants, endless rounds of shortbread and other Christmas goodies, I kne
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The Whitsunday Coast Airport is rolling out the red carpet, welcoming visitors from Adelaide to our sunny part of the country, with direct flights offered through Jetstar to start in September. Whitsunday Regional Council Director Commercial Businesses Craig Turner said it was exciting that, after months of negotiations, connectivity from the Heart of the Barossa to the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef would take off in September. “Thanks to this partnership with Jetstar, our Whitsunday residen
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At approximately 10.30pm on Wednesday, January 24, a 37-year-old Grasmere man allegedly crashed his buggy at One Tree Hill on Hamilton Island. The individual sustained minor leg injuries as a result of the buggy flipping over. Police on Hamilton Island, who had been deployed for the current weather event attended the scene and administered first aid to the Grasmere man. Police then conducted a breath test on the man, and he allegedly provided a positive result. He was detained and taken to
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More than a year after the brand-new $4.4 million Ted Cunningham Bridge collapsed following heavy rainfall, Council has finally proposed a way forward to re-build 50 metres of the bridge’s approach which was washed away in the incident. Just before Christmas in 2022, the Ted Cunningham Bridge, which links the townships of Collinsville and Proserpine, was damaged and became impassable when flood waters washed away the easements. At the time locals were very frustrated because they had already v
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Women’s advocate and Councillor, Jan Clifford, was awarded The Order Of Australia (OAM) over the weekend, and the inspiring local leader says she feels “humbled” to receive such recognition. “When I first found out, I could barely talk!” said Ms Clifford. “I was just beside myself – and I am completely humbled, I don’t do it for the recognition or the thanks, I do it because I like helping people.” Informed of her nomination in September, Ms Clifford says she has no idea which of the many gro
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The sailing community is mourning as one of its vibrant personalities sadly passed away just before Christmas, leaving behind her loving husband of 41 years. Annie Judd was a beautiful woman who will be remembered for her engaging character, enthusiasm, and desire to spread love and joy to whomever she met. She met her husband, John, in Port Lincoln four decades ago, the two of them were married in Thailand in 1992 and have been inseparable since. They’ve enjoyed a full and exciting life, tra
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Whitsunday Regional Council have granted preliminary approval to the resort complex proposed for the Port of Airlie. The complex, submitted by Meridien, detailed in their preliminary approval application, has specified 102 units of accommodation, primarily suited for family units, tours groups and sporting teams, with rooms for four or eight occupants in each. Included in the proposed development is also a restaurant with waterfront terrace dining, a dive school and training pool, a bar with wa
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A retirement village and residential subdivision has been seriously proposed to be constructed in Jubilee Pocket, with Whitsunday Regional Council moving to grant approval for an access through-road connecting Erromango Drive and Saint Bees Boulevarde, in preparation for the massive development. The 640-metre-long trunk road is Stage 1 of the proposed works, with the 45-hectare plot of land to be subdivided into 197 residential allotments, and 230 multi-unit accommodation dwellings with a commu
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When Cindy made the big relocation from the Central Coast of New South Wales to the beautiful beachside town of Bowen, she was pleasantly welcomed into town by friendly and accommodating locals. “That’s the first thing that my husband and I noticed,” Cindy explained. “We were walking down the main street and everyone was waving and saying hello to us! It was just so lovely.” Now a member of the Bowen Tourism and Business team, at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre and beside the beloved Big M
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Despite some interesting reporting and forecasting, the Whitsundays is still open for business and has not been blown away or drowned in a rain bomb! In late December we prepared for Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Last week, our focus turned to figuring out and preparing for what eventually became Tropical Cycle Kirrily. The Whitsundays fared well on both occasions, considering what might have been. Both events reinforced the need and importance of staying vigilant, being well-informed, and calmly pr
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What is your role at Tourism Whitsundays? I manage the Whitsundays Visitor Information Centre located at the Whitsunday Gold Coffee Plantation in Proserpine. My focus is to assist travellers to our beautiful region and connect them with the local operators. I am also the go-to person for the fabulous Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors. What is your ideal weekend in The Whitsundays? My ideal weekend is to jump on one of my friends' boats and cruise between the islands while trying to spot dolph
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After 25 years in office, Councillor and Former Mayor Michael Brunker is hanging up his hat and retiring from positions in local government. With a career spanning advocating for massive industrial proposals to vouching for the little man at regular Council Ordinary Meetings, Brunker’s influence and hard work have left an indelible mark on the Whitsundays region. Brunker started his adult career following in his father’s footsteps, working as a diesel fitter with the Collinsville mine. Then,
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The Little Diggers Day Care Centre in Collinsville is now comfortably able to continue its services while awaiting government accreditation thanks to $10,000 worth of funding given by the Whitsunday Regional Council to help with operational costs. The only day care centre in Collinsville is currently waiting for the government tick to be able to process the childcare subsidies that will offer parents on average between 50 and 85 percent off their childcare fees. At the moment, parents are havi
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As students get into the motion of the new school year, the importance of mental health cannot be overstated. The back-to-school season brings not only the excitement of learning but also potential stressors that can impact a student's wellbeing. It's crucial to prioritise mental health, foster resilience in the face of challenges. Here are some essential tips for students navigating the academic landscape: 1. Acknowledge and Normalise Feelings: It's okay to feel a mix of emotions when heading
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International rhythms and global beats flow through this dynamic musical journey, with fantastical connections and otherworldly notes, as the Airlie Beach Hotel hosts the world-class prowess of Nicky Bomba’s Bustamento This six-piece Cadillac of a show is the brain child of none other than Nicky Bomba, known for his eclectic beats spanning genres of artists like Jon Butler Trio and Melbourne Ska Orchestra, and embodying the energy of Caribbean and reggae. Celebrating life, the joyousness of liv
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This Valentine’s Day, experience the difference of the Jubilee Tavern, keeping the kids entertained and the adults indulged, with a menu that caters to every tastebud. Enjoy the salt and pepper calamari, dig into a succulent sirloin steak, or fall in love with the tasty chicken parmy, the team behind Jubilee Tavern have excitedly ventured out of common grounds, with dish variety that continues to excite. In fact, Area Chef Kevin Eldridge own favourite is the unique Mexican parmy, a twist on th
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This Valentine’s Day, let romance and love wash over you with this special evening catered by the dedicated team at Whisper Restaurant and Gin Bar. This bespoke and intimate evening, set to the beautiful backdrop of the pristine Whisper Bay and Coral Sea, speaks to love and romance. When you and your loved one arrive, take a sip from a chilled glass of bubbles, relax at your table and indulge in the sumptuous five course menu, carefully curated by Whisper Restaurant Head Chef Troy Fuller. “We
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Reserve your beautiful blooms early this Valentine’s Day, with this local family business, Karen Hill Floral Design, which will be fully stocked and ready to supply everyone with bespoke and custom floral arrangements and bouquets. With Karen’s roses most popular, this highly-respected local florist recommends getting orders in early to ensure your loved ones receives the flowers they deserve this Valentine’s Day. “My roses are coming from South America, they are very big and beautiful,” Karen
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