Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
On November 5,1605, as a protest against the policies of King James 1, Captain Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. This became known as the Gunpowder Plot. And from this, Cracker Night was born … The “Proserpine Guardian” (October 26, 1940), published a plea from the fire brigade that “owing to the extreme dryness of the season, more than ordinary care and supervision is necessary to prevent the spread of fires through the use of crackers and bunger.” Regulation 82,
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New Whitsundays Dancing CEO announced The Whitsundays’ inaugural team of Dancing CEOs, Kate Purdie (Coral Sea Marina), Julie Telford (SeaLink Whitsundays), Candice Crossley (Whitsunday Transit) and Alice Harriott (Whitsunday Family Dental), have officially passed the disco ball to McGrath Whitsunday’s Clarice Davis, as the region’s next Dancing CEO. Newly anointed into the 2026 cohort of Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ) fundraising ambassadors this week, Ms Davis acknowledged that in tak
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October 24 Halloween Special: Hotel Transylvania, The Movie Screen at Airlie Beach Foreshore in Coconut Grove, 6:00pm 25 Life Publishing Group: Enchanted Garden Fundraiser, Elementa, 5.30pm-11pm, $330 26 Bowen Community Markets, Hansen Park, from 8:00am 28 Social Seniors - Coffee and Chat, Proserpine Library, from 9am 29 Whitsunday Quilters & Hand Crafts Group, Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, 9:00am-1:30pm, $5pp. November 2 Bowen Community Markets, Hansen Park, from 8:00am 5 Social Seni
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Friday 24 October Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Grand View Hotel: Jessica Cash (from 8pm) Sorrento: Kaedan McCarthy (4pm - 7pm) Horseshoe Bay Cafe: Jolly Lingo (5.30pm - 8.30pm) KC's: Pheonix Revival (from 8pm) Saturday 25 October Airlie Beach Hotel: Nearly Neil (2pm - 5.30pm) Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Grand View Hotel: ALTimate Grunge (from 8pm) Sorrento: Simon Briley (4pm - 7pm) Horseshoe Bay Cafe: Nick Di Grigio (5.30pm - 8.30pm) KC's: Retro Joe (from 8pm)
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The one and only Melbourne Cup Day will soon be upon us, and the beloved Airlie Beach Hotel (ABH) have put together a stellar line up to ensure your day is nothing short of memorable! On Tuesday, the 4th of November, prepare to be transported to the world of Mai Tais and tan lines as 2025’s ABH Melbourne Cup Day extravaganza turns up the heat with it’s Hawaiian Style loo ow bright and early from 10am onwards. Attendees will be treated to some classic old time Rock n Roll and a jampacked entert
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The Central Queensland Blokart Club is gearing up for its 17th annual Blokart Regatta at Cape Hillsborough Beach, set to hit the sand on November 1–2. Drawing competitors from across Queensland and as far afield as Victoria, the regatta promises fast-paced, thrilling racing on the shore. Spectators are invited to soak up the excitement and cheer on the landyachts as they race along the stunning beachfront. The club will have gazebos set up for shade, though beachgoers are encouraged to bring th
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At Mackay Contract Bridge Club Five first year players came in top four positions this week. Karen Cadwell finished in top place on Wednesday, Annette Howe and Jewel Schmidt second on Friday with Sue Mayer-Miller bagging fourth position also on Friday and Christopher Meyers third on Saturday. This is an amazing effort for these first-year players. Bridge is a complex, fun game and these new members have taken to the game like ducks to water. Our Australia Day Come and Try day, sponsored by Macka
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If you’re looking for a gentle, loving companion with a heart of gold, Ruia could be your perfect match! Ruia is a stunning 2–3-year-old Bull Arab X (with maybe a touch of Boxer!) who was rescued from the pound and is now safe and thriving in care. This sweet girl has so much love to give and is patiently waiting for her forever family to discover just how special she is. She’s affectionate, friendly and happiest when she’s with her humans – tummy tickles are her absolute favourite! Ruia enjoy
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A heartfelt community event was held recently to raise funds and awareness for Dementia Australia, inspired by one local woman’s personal journey with her mother’s diagnosis. Organiser Rebecca Ross said this year’s morning tea was her biggest effort yet after previously running smaller fundraising activities. The motivation behind the event came from her mother, Gail, who was formally diagnosed in June with frontal, temporal, and vascular dementia. “My mum has been my biggest drive for this,”
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Above and Below Gallery has been awarded GOLD in the Retail and Services category at the 2025 Tourism Whitsunday Awards, recognising the gallery’s outstanding contribution to the Whitsundays’ tourism and creative industries. Owner and photographer Brooke Miles said the recognition is a proud moment for the entire team and a reflection of the gallery’s dedication to sharing the beauty of the Whitsundays through art, along with its reputation for great customer service. “This award means so much
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It was another golden night for BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, taking out Gold in the Caravan and Holiday Parks category at the 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards on Saturday evening. The gala event, held at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, brought together tourism operators and businesses from across the region to celebrate excellence and innovation within the Whitsundays’ vibrant visitor economy. For BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, this latest Gold adds to an incredible track record of
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Bowen’s famous Big Mango has added another accolade to its growing list of achievements, taking home Bronze in the Attractions category at the 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards. Five members of the Bowen Tourism and Business team attended the event on Saturday night, along with committee chair Jenn Honnery, proudly representing the town’s most recognisable landmark. The Big Mango is no stranger to success, having previously won Silver in the same category. The Bowen Visitor Information Centre, lo
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With passion, grit and decades of guiding experience under her belt, Cherene Poidevin of Driftwood Tours has claimed GOLD in the Land-Based Tours category at the 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards, and she did it as a one-woman team. “I want to jump up and click my heels!” Cherene laughed. “After guiding many years for others and giving it 100%, it is a dream to do it for myself now and give it 150%.” This is not her first brush with success. Driftwood Tours was awarded Gold for Best New Tour Busine
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Ocean Rafting has added another accolade to its impressive collection, taking home Gold in the Best Marketing category at this year’s Whitsunday Tourism Awards. The win marks yet another milestone for the long-standing family-owned business, which has been showcasing the beauty of the Whitsundays and Great Barrier Reef for more than 25 years. Over that time, Ocean Rafting has become a multi-award-winning operator at local, state, and national levels, recognised for excellence, innovation, and s
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A local favourite in the Whitsundays tourism scene has once again been recognised for excellence, taking home Gold in the Self-Contained Accommodation category at the 2025 Whitsundays Tourism Awards. Since taking over the property in July 2021, Paul and Francine Tuddenham have collected an impressive list of accolades, including the 2022 ARAMA Resident Manager of the Year (Short Term), the 2022 Whitsundays Tourism Award for Excellence in Customer Service, and the 2024 Best of Queensland Accommo
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Let's raise a glass to the passionate and dedicated team at Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays. What a night it was at the Tourism Awards, with Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays taking out the top gong for Bareboating! With thousands of happy sailors sharing their stories, this Aussie favourite has proven, once again, why it’s the go-to for Whitsundays bareboat (self-skippered) sailing adventures. Whilst their review count is impressive, it is the storytelling in their reviews that cap
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Queens Beach Tourist Village has once again been recognised among the region’s best, taking home Silver in the Caravan and Holiday Parks category at the 2025 Whitsundays Tourism Awards. For managers Bob and Mel Fotheringham, the win was especially meaningful as it marked their first full year of managing the park. “It’s a great achievement considering this is our first year as new management and for the company as owners,” Mel said. “We know we are doing something right.” The latest award c
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The SeaLink Whitsundays brands have once again cemented their position at the forefront of Australian tourism, claiming four major accolades at the 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards. Whitsunday Jetski Tours led the charge, taking out Gold for Best Day Tour – Water, in a standout result across water and land tour categories. This headline win builds on recent momentum for the jetski brand, which was named the world’s No. 1 tourism experience in Tripadvisor’s 2024 Best of the Best Awards. “We’re abso
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Shingley Beach Resort has been recognised among the best in Queensland’s tourism industry, earning a Silver award in the 3–3.5 Star Accommodation category at the 2025 Whitsundays Tourism Awards. The honour marks a milestone moment for the Airlie Beach resort, believed to be Shingley’s first-ever award. While unable to attend Saturday night’s event, General Manager Geoff Canard said he is proud of the achievement and admiration for fellow winners. “Congratulations to all winners, not only for t
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Whitsunday Regional Council is celebrating another tourism success, with the Shute Harbour Marine Terminal taking out Silver in the Attractions category at the 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards, held at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre on Saturday night. The award recognises the Terminal’s outstanding contribution to the visitor experience and its role as the gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, welcoming hundreds of thousands of passengers each year. Operated by Whitsunday Regional Council, t
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Wings Sailing Charters Whitsundays has sailed to success, proudly taking home the Crewed Overnight Sailing Tourism Award at the 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards. The accolade recognises their exceptional liveaboard guest experience, five- star service, and their dedication to showcasing the breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef Whitsundays through immersive skippered sailing holidays. The award is another chapter in the long-standing story of excellence for Wings Sailing, who were previou
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The Whitsundays’ tourism industry sparkled on Saturday, 18 October, as the 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards took centre stage at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre. With a refreshed format aligned to the Best of Queensland Experience Program (BOQEP), this year’s awards recognised 93 outstanding finalists across 14 categories. From reef adventures and luxury stays to land tours and fine dining, the night showcased the incredible diversity of the region. A total of 123 local operators achieved BOQ
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The Whitsundays shone brightly over the weekend as the region’s leading tourism operators were celebrated at the 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards, held on Saturday, 18 October at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre. This year introduced a refreshed awards format aligned with the Best of Queensland Experience Program (BOQEP), recognising businesses based on real results and customer feedback rather than submissions. To qualify, operators were required to hold an Australian Tourism Data Warehouse
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A standing ovation greeted local tourism stalwart Kev Collins on Saturday night as he took to the stage to accept the Bob Porter Award for Outstanding Service at the 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards. With over four decades of dedication to the region’s tourism industry, Collins—owner of D’Vine Catering & Events—was recognised for his enduring service, unwavering passion, and significant contribution to shaping the Whitsundays into one of Australia’s most iconic destinations. “It has taken me over
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It was a batter’s paradise on the weekend, with more than 1000 combined runs scored across the Canecutters vs Warriors and Valleys vs Colts match-ups. On Field 1, the Canecutters batted first, with Liam Davies (28) and Michael Pettiford putting on a 61-run opening partnership before Brendan Russell (3/56) snuck one through Liam’s defence. He was supported by fellow opening bowler Regan Knight (1/67) and the crafty off-spin of Bryce Fraser (1/26), reducing the Canecutters to 4/80 after 12 overs.
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