Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
This week marks the official end of the 2023 crushing season of Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ Proserpine Mill. Group Manager Operations James Wallace said the last cane was crushed at 4.24pm on Saturday 9 December. “We processed just over 1.7 million tonnes of sugarcane for the season, to manufacture about 240,000 tonnes of raw sugar,” Mr Wallace said. “I’d like to thank all of our Proserpine employees for their hard work in processing this year’s crop. They’ve put in a stellar effort and shou
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Bowen’s claim to fame is back on the big screen, with Baz Lurhermann’s Australia being reimagined into a new six-part miniseries, called Faraway Downs. The 2008 movie was filmed in Bowen, and pushed our small regional town into global stardom, with many local icons and personalities playing keys roles in the blockbuster film. The Faraway Downs series features 2.1 metres of film that the original movie’s director, Baz Lurhmann, had kept in his possession and has not been seen until now. Mana
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It was a weekend of a lifetime for Robert Hendrickson at the Airlie Beach Festival of Music. More affectionally known as Robbie, he was tasked with an important job for the festival, as an Accessibility Ambassador at the Main Tent, greeting people as they entered. Robbie is part of Endeavour Foundation, who partnered with the Airlie Beach Festival of Music to sponsor an elevated accessibility platform for individuals of various abilities to be able to view the main stage from a great vantage p
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Budget airline Bonza has once again cancelled a range of services, including the scheduled launch of the new Whitsunday Coast Airport to the Gold Coast route. Now postponed for the second time, Bonza reasons the delay due to the “regulatory process for the new aircraft joining the fleet,” as explained by Tim Jordan, CEO of Bonza. “As we’ve previously shared, in the short term we will use an aircraft leased from our partner Flair at our Gold Coast base whilst we recruit Aussie crew for this thir
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Whitsunday region locally grown produce has travelled onto the international centre stage, with the ‘Taste of Queensland’ Agricultural Trade delegation. Travelling to Japan just over a week ago, the delegation was led by Queensland Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner and included horticultural growers from across North Queensland. Ry Collins, Chief Executive Officer of Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, was a member of the delegation and commented, "This delegation has been a phenomen
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A huge thank you to all that attended the combined Tourism Whitsunday and Whitsunday Chamber of Commerce Christmas party. It was a great night with everyone enjoying the mixed company and relaxed format. As the Chamber looks forward to 2025, we look forward to working more closely with TW for the benefit of all our members. Industrial Relations – Whilst it’s a busy time for all businesses, and many looking forward to a well-earned break, please don’t forget to keep an eye on new and existing ind
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As of this morning, the Cannonvale Skatepark is officially reopened to the public, and the timing is perfectly coordinated with the community gearing up for the inaugural Cannonvale Classic! The skate park upgrades initially began with consultation with local skaters in 2021, as the previous skatepark was deemed unfit for more skilled skaters, too steep gradients on the quarter pipes and poor drainage throughout. Stage 1 of the works created a street style park for beginners and intermediate sk
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The entrepreneurial spirit runs deep with 13-year-old Zac Courtie, the savvy young businessman who is behind Zac’s Airlie Carwash. What started out as a small neighbourhood job washing his mums’ and neighbour’s cars for pocket money, has since snowballed into a full-blown business operation which has seen Zac’s services in high demand over the Christmas period. And Zac’s mum, Kylie Thomson, could not be prouder. “What I love most is the feedback we get, of how much of a lovely young man he is
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When you head out to do your Christmas shopping this festive season, consider shopping local, keep your dollars within our community, and ensure small business keep flourishing. That’s the ethos behind Local 4 Locals in Bowen, an initiative that’s been thriving within the community for years and continues to grow momentum. And for this special season, Locals 4 Locals Bowen is rewarding those shopping local. Once you make a purchase at one of the 33 participating local small businesses, you’ll
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Ensuring the smooth and safe operation of our record-breaking Whitsunday Coast Airport is a key role for newly appointed Airport Operations Manager Andrew Elliott. Having worked continuously in Aviation since starting his career as an apprentice Aircraft Maintenance Engineer at ASTA Aircraft Services in 1989, Andrew now has over 34 years’ experience in aviation and has worked for every major airline in Australia and some internationally. He is a Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and a s
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Did You Know? Our Whitsunday Disaster Dashboard now includes a Cyclone Track Map. This interactive map has been developed by the BOM and shows weather events in local time to our region. Furthermore, the app offers weather projections for a 5-day forecast, rather than the typical 3-day forecast offered by the BOM. Official BOM forecast advice and information can be accessed directly by clicking on the spinning cyclone icon in times of cyclonic weather alerts. For more information or t
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Whitsunday Regional Council is gearing up the festivities with the annual Christmas Light Competition. Decorate your home, business and streets with Christmas lights, and you could win the ‘best residence or shopfront’ or the newest category, ‘best street’, and go into the running to win a special street sign proclaiming your street as the most festive street in the Whitsundays. And don’t forget to add your Christmas light display to the Whitsunday Regional Council Christmas Lights Trail map, s
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This week over 60 presents have been donated to families in need, making sure more children can experience the joy of opening a gift this Christmas. A partnership between the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach and Ray White Real Estate, these 60 children’s gifts have been hand-selected, wrapped and delivered to families across the region, just in time for Christmas. “We’ve been doing this for years,” explained Sue Griffiths, Operations Manager of Ray White. “As soon as the Christmas period starts, w
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Confidently carving out a sterling reputation in the Whitsunday wedding industry for the past decade, this year was the first time Aquava Boutique Catering embarked on an awards journey, and they started right at the top! The highly regarded wedding caterers brought home the Gold Award in the Independent Wedding Caterers category at the Australian Bridal Industry Association (ABIA) Awards which were held in Brisbane earlier this month. The winners are measured by reviews and ratings from over
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Thrilled to be recognised as a Finalist in two categories at the ABIA Awards, Louise Sugrue from Divine Weddings Whitsundays, says it was a privilege to attend the industry awards held in Brisbane earlier this month. Coming in seventh place out of 17 hopefuls in the Decorations and Styling category and fifth place out of 11 in the Independent Wedding Consultants category, Louise says she is pleased to rank so high among peers she admires. “To get that positive feedback and score so high when g
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Christmas in 1896 – Proserpine Notes - “Mackay Standard” January 13, 1897 “Christmas passed off quietly but very pleasantly with us here, as is usual among all small communities. The usual custom of shopping on Christmas Eve was not forgotten and it was surprising the amount and variety of goods Mr Jupp and Mr Campbell, our two storekeepers, were able to display … Mr Jupp, on his recent visit south, had not forgotten that there were a large number of children … and brought with him plenty of to
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The Young Widows Support Group are hosting their next catch up and widows of the region are welcome to attend and bond with individuals who understand. Organised by Ashlea Langston and Lisa Cherie, the pair have established the Youth Widowed Catch Up in order to promote healing and help each other. The term ‘widow’ covers a broad understanding, and everyone is warmly welcome to attend the catch ups, no matter gender, relationship status. “Age is no barrier either,” Ashlea explains. “Your age
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You better ‘Take a Chance on Me’ because over these two shows, we’ll have our dancing shoes on and we’ll be dancing our way to Christmas, singing every hit from ABBA’s impressive catalogue along the way. Coming to the Airlie Beach Hotel stage is none other than SOS, one of Australia’s best ABBA tribute artists. Samuel Bennett acts as the ineffable Bjorn, and he brings charisma, class and pizzazz like no other. In the role for coming on seven years, Sam knows exactly what to do and how to do it
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The draw of the year is finally here! Airlie Beach Hotel are gearing up to draw one of the two 2023 Toyota Corollas next week in a competition more exciting than anything else. TO ENTER Just spend $25 in The Pub, The Bar, or any ABH Liquor & Tobacco merchants bottle shop and be in our gaming room Wednesday & Thursday between 3pm & 7pm and Friday & Saturday between 4pm & 8pm with your members card inserted correctly for your chance to WIN. Prize draws every 20 minutes. Entries have been tallied
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Sip a celebratory cocktail and enjoy the last rays of sun for 2023, with an early evening New Years Eve Sunset Soiree at Whisper Restaurant and Gin Bar. With perfectly picturesque Coral Sea views and unforgettable entertainment, this is an event you will cherish well into 2024. Starting at 5pm, begin your New Years celebration early with free entry into Whisper Gin Bar and enjoy a range of free canapes and a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival, speciality gin cocktail menu, and DJ Dan on
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Get ready to get in the Christmas spirit with the Proserpine Entertainment Centre putting on the perfect event for classic Christmas movie fans. Love Actually has evolved to become the quintessential Christmas movie, with the PEC hosting their own wine and cheese night for the lovers of all things festive and charcuterie. Embrace the warmth of this heart-warming Christmas classic that tells the eight romantic stories of Harry and Karen, Juliet, Jamie, Colin, Karl, Sam, and David, as they navig
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The Proserpine Community Markets are done and dusted for 2023, with all attendees stocking up for their Christmas celebrations and for the summer break. With Santa making a special pitstop during the event, the entire family was well entertained, and everyone came home with a special treat or two. “It was such a wonderful event,” said Tarnia Patton, Proserpine Community Market Coordinator. “Our Christmas market is always a great market, but I say that this one was our best market yet.” With c
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Before we know it, Santa will come down our chimneys and 2023 will be drawing to a close and we will be seeing what the new year brings to our small club in paradise. Wednesday afternoon Jackpot bowls saw some great contests but it was the guile of skipper Andrew Butler, our brilliant club secretary at skipper that guided lead Marjorie Hughes, greatly improved second in Rob Turner completely dominating the rest of the field with a commanding victory and not only that the planet's aligned and the
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Our AGM was held on Sunday, new executive committee are Chairman Lloyd White, Vice President Gavin Charles, Secretary Helen Jacobsen, Treasurer Gus Munro. Congratulations to all appointed. Contributed with thanks to Joan Edwards.
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We had one game of Triples on Tuesday. Bron Tolcher, Merle Elphinstone and Penny Warren defeated Lindy Suann, Deb Retchless, and Irene Laird. The jackpot didn’t go off. Winners for Sunday afternoon bowls winners were Bill Myers, Alby Vigar, and Allan Rolfe defeated Lindy Suann, Deb Retchless, and Pat Tracey. In the other game Merle Elphinstone, Penny Warren and Kevin Jewell defeated Toni Bowen, Jim Quad and Sugar Brunker. The jackpot didn’t go off. With all the wind we are having, Cyclone Jasp
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