Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Hi Everyone, Mental health is something that’s always been close to my heart, ever since I watched my best mate from school go through depression after a traumatic divorce. I remember being on the phone with him, trying so hard to help. I was throwing out suggestions — fresh air, long walks, joining a club, thinking positive. I thought depression needed action. Solutions. A mindset shift. And while those things can help, I was totally thrown when he got short with me. Frustrated. Distant. Th
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The Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry is stepping into a new role as manager of the Airlie Beach Cruise Ship Markets, ensuring this much-loved event continues to thrive for stallholders, local businesses, community groups, and visiting passengers. Commencing this month, the Chamber will oversee market operations with a clear commitment: to continue delivering a market that feels welcoming to cruise ship guests while being supportive of local stallholders. Chamber President Allan Mil
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Justin Stokes believes rough weather may have saved his life on August 3. The 70-year-old Bowen retiree was about 50km offshore in a 26-foot boat with his son and a mate when he began feeling light-headed and unwell. “We were already headed back to shore because of the weather and I wasn’t feeling great when the boat began taking on water; the bilge pump couldn’t keep up as the waves were coming over the front,” Justin said. “My son and his mate had to start bailing. It was all a bit stressful
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Whether they’re avoiding a pod of whales, traversing a shallow reef, or giving a racing yacht wide berth, the crew of VMR Whitsunday are well practiced at changing course to ensure they reach their destination swiftly and safely. Today, the experienced volunteer crew set a new course, joining Marine Rescue Queensland as the service’s eighteenth unit. MRQ Whitsunday Unit Commander Shane Newell said that the unit had taken their transition very much in their stride and were looking forward to a n
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The Whitsunday community has once again shown its generosity, with this year’s Mayor’s Charity Ball raising an impressive $90,000 for local organisations. At a cheque handover ceremony, Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins thanked sponsors, supporters, and attendees for helping make the annual event such a success. Funds from the evening went to BMA CQ Rescue, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, and the Bowen Community Centre, three organisations that play vital roles in providing eme
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Recently we have seen a small amount of attempted stealing offences where people have walked into people’s property, tried car doors, doors on houses and walked through veranda areas. No significant property has been stolen but it raises an important topic. Today, more than ever, the importance of knowing your neighbours often gets overlooked. However, creating strong connections with those who live around us fosters a sense of belonging, strengthens community ties, and crucially, helps keep eve
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From my very first day as Mayor, my approach has been that regional Councils are strongest when we work together across all levels of government, alongside industry, and most importantly, with our community. Last week in Canberra, that spirit of partnership was on full display. Over three days, the Greater Whitsunday Council of Mayors, Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson, Isaac Mayor Kelly Vea Vea and I, joined with our economic and industry partners to speak with a united voice for our region. Toget
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Whitsunday residents and visitors are being urged to check their Saturday Gold Lotto tickets, with a mystery player yet to claim a $2.5 million prize from the weekend’s draw. The unregistered ticket was purchased at Hickmott’s Supa News in Bowen for Saturday Gold Lotto draw 4605 on 6 September 2025. The winning entry was one of eight division one winners nationally, each scoring $2.5 million. So far this year, the Mackay and Whitsundays region has celebrated six major lottery wins, worth more
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Monday 8 September 2025: The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) has today unveiled its new Strategic Plan 2025–2028 and Advocacy Plan 2025–26, charting a bold path to strengthen Queensland’s visitor economy in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032 and beyond. The plans are especially significant for regions such as the Whitsundays, which rely heavily on tourism and are preparing for increased visitor numbers in the coming years. QTIC CEO Natassia Wheeler said the plans demonstrate QTIC’s role as
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Orange Sky Australia is bringing its life-changing laundry service to the Whitsundays, aiming to support locals who are doing it tough. The not-for-profit has secured a location and the necessary resources for the region, but the launch is dependent on securing enough local volunteers to join the team. The need is clear. The Orange Sky service in Mackay, established in 2017, has struggled to keep up with demand due to critically low volunteer numbers. With rising living costs and growing social
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Tec-NQ House Year 10 boarder Brad is already getting his hands on the tools. He has secured assistant boiler maker work with a local business near home, not far from Clermont. “This is my first year at Tec-NQ House,” said Brad. “I’m in Year 10, and so far I’m liking it.” The move to boarding has been made easier by new friendships. “I have made a few mates, so that’s good,” he commented. Term breaks will be busy. When he is not on the job learning the basics of boiler making, Brad will be back
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Sugar Growing Pioneer in the Cannon Valley District Henry William Holmes was born 13th April 1873 in Stableford, Wiltshire England. His father, a village blacksmith, died in an accident when William was nine. When eleven, his mother remarried. Henry went to live on a farm where his Holmes’ uncles were tenants, then worked on the railways for several years. Desirous to see the world, at age 18, he applied for assisted passage to Australia, sailing on the "Geelunga" arriving at Bowen in May 1892
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The stage is set for a night of stories, song, and celebration when the Love Letter to Queensland event takes place tonight at the Whitsunday Sailing Club. The special evening, part of the 2025 Whitsundays Writers Festival, will open at 6pm with an official welcome from Mayor Ry Collins. Guests will enjoy drinks and canapés before settling in for an inspiring program of speakers, performers and award presentations. Headlining the event is internationally published, award-winning author Dr Anit
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September 12 & 13 White on Whitehaven 12 Whitsunday Writers Festival Love Letter to Queensland, Whitsunday Sailing Club, at 6pm 12 Kung Fu Panda 4, The Movie Screen at Airlie Beach Foreshore in Coconut Grove, 6:00pm 13 Community Carnival, Mullers Lagoon in Bowen, 9am-12pm 14 Bowen Community Markets, Hansen Park, from 8:00am 16 Social Seniors - Coffee and Chat, Proserpine Library, from 9am 16 Tech Help, Cannonvale Library, 2:00pm-3:45pm 17 Australian Citizenship Day 17 Whitsunday Quilter
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Friday 12 September Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Grand View Hotel: Jessica Cash (from 8pm) KC's: Jason Bull (from 8pm) Saturday 13 September Airlie Beach Hotel: ABBA Tribute (2pm – 5.30pm) Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Grand View Hotel: Mick Woodbridge (from 8pm) Coral Sea Marina Resort: DJ Shae (1pm - 5pm) KC's: Chris Booroff (from 8pm) Sunday 14 September Airlie Beach Hotel: ABBA Tribute (2pm – 5.30pm) Airlie Beach Hotel: Paul Fergus Morris (6.30pm – 9.30pm)
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There’s a new name dazzling stages, and he’s barely tall enough to see over the dining table. Meet Sisqó Tan, the three-year-old phenomenon whose star power is outshining performers three, four, even five times his age. With a cheeky grin, unstoppable energy, and moves that could make Bruno Mars blush, Sisqó isn’t just the talk of the playground, he’s a megastar in the making While some toddlers are content stacking blocks, Sisqó was stacking up fans. Since he was just two months old, he’s bee
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Meet Ruia Ruia, a striking two to three-year-old Bull Arab cross, is looking for a second chance at life and a family to call her own. With her gentle nature and happy personality, this young dog has quickly won the hearts of everyone who meets her. Believed to have a touch of Boxer in her mix, Ruia is described as affectionate, easy-going, and great with other dogs. She loves nothing more than spending time with people, sharing tummy rubs, and soaking up attention. Despite a difficult start, h
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More than 220 bikes and 80 cars roared into action on the (mostly) dry riverbed of the Don River last weekend for the 2025 Custom Lithium Don River Dash. After two days of fierce competition, Clayton Chapman and navigator Adam McGuire claimed top honours in the car category, while Far North Queensland rider Ivan Long took victory in the bikes after sitting out the 2024 event. Both were crowned 2025 Kings of the River. The title of Queen of the River – Bikes went to Georgia Hanrahan, who secure
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Announcing Main Stage Daily Lineups & 2 Day Ticket Options! The countdown is on as the Airlie Beach Festival of Music unveils its daily main stage lineups. "We’ve always been about creating a full-sensory experience, and now, it’s time for a taste of what each day will bring," shared a spokesperson. "To make your Festival experience even more flexible, we are thrilled to announce brand-new 2-day ticket options, catering to every kind of festival-goer. Whether you’re joining us for the full thr
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Hi Everyone, It’s been a busy week back in the office, and I’m really enjoying being here! Since returning, I’ve also resumed my role at Eco Barge as a turtle carer. I absolutely love spending time with these incredible, peaceful animals. Eco Barge is always looking for new volunteers, so if you have a few spare hours each week, consider lending a hand for this truly worthwhile cause! This week, we have plenty for you to explore: stories on the Great Barrier Reef, sustainable sculpture awards
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Day care centres, kindergartens and primary schools across the Whitsundays are being encouraged to get creative and eco-friendly in the 2025 Sustainable Sculpture Competition. Following the resounding success of last year’s event, organisers are excited to see what this year’s budding artists will produce. The competition challenges children to transform recyclable and repurposed materials into sculptures, offering a hands-on way to learn about sustainability. From plastic bottles to newspapers
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When most of us think about the Reef, we typically visualise diverse corals, a magnitude of fish species and other marine life. But the Reef is much more. We should think of the Reef as a system that starts at the high tide mark along the coast and continues out to outer edge of the continental shelf, in some areas, this may be up to 250 km off the coast. This system is all connected by what is often referred to as the Blue Highway. The overall health of the Reef is entirely dependent on the he
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Farmers Join Forces to Protect the Reef For generations, sugarcane has been a core aspect of the Proserpine region’s identity. From the vast green paddocks to the hum of harvest machinery, cane farming has shaped the landscape, economy, and community life of the district. Families who work this land carry with them not only the knowledge of farming, but also a deep connection to the creeks, wetlands, and reef systems that make the Proserpine catchment so unique. Now, a new initiative is giving
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A record field of more than two hundred runners will be heading for the hills this weekend for the Whitsunday Running Club’s annual trail event. The Anaconda Whitsunday Trail Festival takes place on Sunday, 14 September, with entries coming from across Australia and the United States. The race precinct will be based on the Airlie Beach Foreshore near the movie screen. Fifty runners have signed up for the WTF58 Accom Whitsunday Ultra (58km), which starts on the foreshore, travels over the range
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Nine out of 10 Whitsunday United Football Club teams were in action in finals football last weekend, with seven sides still in contention for a grand final spot. The divisional men kicked off proceedings on Friday night against Lions. Div 2 needed victory to stay alive but fell 2–0 behind early in the second half. A spirited fightback saw them score twice to level, but neither side could find a winner in regular time. With players struggling through cramps, the game went to penalties, where Ros
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