Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Meet Rooney — a 6-year-old Bull Arab cross with a heart as big as his paws. Rooney has been waiting patiently for his forever home, and we think it’s finally his time to shine. This handsome boy is a big softie at heart. Rooney is incredibly gentle, affectionate and adores human company. He’s the kind of dog who’ll rest his head on your lap and look at you like you’re the centre of his world. He’s also been working with trainers and has made great progress — he now walks beautifully on the lead
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With Major Investments In Health, Housing & Tourism The 2025 State Budget has been unveiled, promising a “fresh start” for Queensland with a strong focus on health care, housing, infrastructure, and community safety. For the Whitsundays region, the government says the funding package delivers vital investment across key local services and industries. Among the headline announcements is a major expansion of Mackay Hospital, with at least 128 new overnight beds slated to restore and improve acces
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Hi Everyone, Last week when I was in the Burdekin, racing through a few morning emails in my hotel room before heading off to an event, I saw this message pop up in my inbox: ____Hi, my name is Brian, nice to meet you. I'm emailing you because I'll be arriving in Proserpine today. I'm starting a road trip, and until I find a job, I want to save as much money as I can. So, I wanted to ask if I could go to the food bank and pick up some groceries. If possible, I'd like to know the address and h
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Taking centre stage for their special night, the Year 12 students of St Catherine’s Catholic College celebrated their School Formal last Thursday at VMR Whitsunday, the evening set against the backdrop of a stunning sunset. The much-loved local school is also marking a major milestone this year—its centenary. Known for the many multi-generational families who have passed through its gates, St Catherine’s has played a proud role in the community’s story. You can read their special eight-page 'p
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What's Happening With Australias First Orbital-Capable Rocket? By Ruth Puddefoot After a few turbulent weeks, Gilmour Space Technologies is back on track with its Eris TestFlight1 mission, following the successful resolution of a payload fairing issue that led to two launch scrubs earlier this month. Now back on the pad at the Bowen Orbital Spaceport, the Eris rocket has had a new payload fairing installed and has entered the next phase of launch preparations, with system testing currently unde
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Weddings Whitsundays stands as the region’s go-to planning resource and promotional hub for wedding planning in the Whitsundays, connecting couples globally with our unparalleled beauty and professional services. The fundamental purpose of Weddings Whitsundays is two-fold: to passionately promote this magnificent region as the ultimate wedding destination and to foster the growth and success of local wedding businesses. For members, being part of this collective is invaluable. With its recent s
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The fifth annual Coffee with a Cop catch up is set to take place at Whitsunday Plaza next Wednesday 2 July at 10am. The popular and ongoing event has become a powerful tool for building trust between police and the public. “Sometimes are reluctant to speak to police because of the position that we hold,” explained Officer in Charge of Whitsunday Station Senior Sergeant Anthony Moynihan. “Sometimes the only interaction that people ever have with the police in their life is through something se
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Last week, Daydream Island and Tourism Whitsundays hosted an action-packed ATEC Explore North Queensland event and The Whitsundays was proudly front and centre. Hosted by the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC), the event brought together international travel buyers and local tourism operators from North Queensland to help strengthen the region’s international presence. With 11 Whitsundays operators present and eight from Tropical North Queensland, our region was passionately represented.
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The Whitsunday Sailing Club is stepping up its family-friendly offerings with the launch of a new 'Kids Eat Free' menu, available every day of the week. This initiative makes it easier and more affordable for families to enjoy quality dining in one of Airlie Beach’s most iconic waterfront locations. The bistro serves a wide range of meals made with fresh local ingredients, offering something to please every palate—including little ones. The Whitsunday Sailing Club offers more than just 'Kids E
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With Boots, Bulls & Big Tunes Country Fest Queensland kicks off this weekend, and all roads lead to the Mackay region for one of the country’s most exciting regional events. Gates open Thursday for campers, with the festival firing up that evening with a boot-stompin’ Honky Tonk Kick-Off Party — setting the stage for a high-energy weekend of music, community, and good ol’ fashioned fun. This year, Country Fest QLD is pulling out all the stops. From kids rides and food eating competitions (can
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From Officer In Charge of Whitsunday Police Station Anthony Moynihan G’day everyone and thanks for the opportunity from Whitsunday Life to provide a little article on the goings on from the perspective of Whitsunday Police. Firstly, I’d like to introduce myself. My name is Anthony Moynihan, I am the Senior Sergeant, Officer in Charge of the Whitsunday Police Station. I have been a proud member of the Queensland Police Service for 25 years. I started off working down south in Toowoomba and Ips
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The Bowen Polocrosse Club’s first-ever Ladies Day is already a success, with tickets selling out weeks ahead of the July 26 event. Set on Saturday, the afternoon will feature live acoustic music, prosecco, and a whole lot of fun. The Ladies Day event runs from 12pm to 4pm, offering a wide array of the A and B grade matches as part of a broader effort to promote the sport and attract new crowds. Capped at 100 attendees, the event is a test run for what could become an annual highlight. Affordab
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Providing opportunities for primary industry, supporting small business and improvements to the Bruce Highway are all on Bowen’s horizon according to Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP. Whilst the broad base of industry calling Bowen home provided a challenge when it came to delivering broad-scale improvement, Mr Last said that the Crisafulli government had homed in on key issues that would make a real difference. “Diversity really is one of Bowen’s advantages because it means there is an almos
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Two local students are crediting face-to-face learning and hands-on training for giving them the confidence to step into new careers in aged and disability support. Sera Armitage and Annabel Tink are among the first to complete a new six-month Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing & Disability) at TAFE Queensland’s Whitsundays campus in Cannonvale. With just 20 hours of placement remaining, both women say it was the in-person learning that made the biggest impact. “For me personally, I
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Director/Principal Kellee Fogg Legal matters can feel overwhelming—but they don’t have to be. At Whitsunday Law, we’re part of a trusted local network, working alongside your real estate and accounting professionals right here in the building. Whether you’re buying a property, preparing a will, navigating family changes, or dealing with a criminal charge, we’re here to offer clear, practical advice tailored to your situation. We take pride in being approachable, thorough, and straight-talkin
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Kim Jamieson and Steve Diez Did you know? The superannuation guarantee rate will increase from 11.5% to 12%. The new rate of 12%, will apply to all salary and wages paid to eligible workers, on and after 1 July 2025. Need help lodging your 2025 Tax Return? The end of the financial year is 30th June 2025! We know it can be hard to organise a time to visit your accountant during the work week- that is why we offer appointments via phone, online and in-person. Call us today to book your 2025 Tax
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Get ready, Airlie Beach. A high-energy piano party is heading this way, and it promises to be unlike anything you’ve seen before. After almost a year of wowing crowds across the country, this interactive sing-along show known as Sing On Social is making its debut at the Airlie Beach Hotel. The concept, created and performed by Tim Sponder, mixes all the classic party anthems into one epic mash-up. “I make a mash up of all the great, classic songs, and all the lyrics come up on big screens,” h
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Students from Proserpine State High School are making the most of the upcoming school holidays, proudly representing their school in a wide range of events across the state. Dozens of students across multiple year levels are embracing every opportunity to pursue excellence extension programs in career fields of interest. Year 10 student Miley Thomson will attend the James Cook University 2025 Indigenous Winter School Program. Fellow peer Alexa Stuchbree will be representing the school at the
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Keep the weekend of 5 and 6 July free to visit this fantastic community event, held every two years at the Hydeaway Bay Community Clubhouse. On display will be an impressive variety of artworks created by talented locals from the Hydeaway Bay, Dingo Beach and Cape Gloucester area. Exhibitors include members of the Textile Arts (TARTS) group and the Hydeaway Bay Quilters, along with many other hobbyists working in photography, pottery, painting, jewellery making, woodwork and more. Many of the
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A generous $10,000 anonymous donation has helped transform a newly renovated youth space at the Whitsunday PCYC, with funds already going towards much-needed furniture and equipment. The donor, who wishes to remain unnamed, quietly delivered the contribution on May 2. Sergeant Billy Li from PCYC Whitsunday said this is the second time this individual has gifted a large donation to the PCYC and he said it will make a major impact. The money will go towards a furnishing a newly built youth prog
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The annual BMA CQ Rescue Golf Day on Hamilton Island teed off under blue skies and brisk winds on Saturday 14, drawing 92 eager players to the island greens for a good cause. Despite the challenging conditions, spirits remained high as teams tackled the scenic course. The charity event didn’t just stay on the fairways, a bustling raffle and auction added to the fundraising total, helping raise an incredible $64,120 for BMA CQ Rescue. Hamilton Island Golf Club Manager Michael Frampton confirmed
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The Cairns Ironman held in the heart of Tropical North Queensland is a ripper! It is set amongst the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, the only place in the World where two World heritage areas meet. The Event was held on 15th June. On the day there were two events, a challenging FULL Ironman consisting of a 3.8km ocean swim, 180km cycle with a 42.2km marathon run to finish. The other event is still a tough one, a half Ironman and half the above distances which is a race rather than
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While most were enjoying a sleep-in on Whitsunday Show Day, a group of determined Cannonvale Cannons swimmers dived into an epic early morning challenge at the Cannonvale Swim Centre. The session kicked off at 7AM giving our usual Friday morning trainers a well-earned two-hour sleep-in! The endurance session was designed by Cannons swimmer Harris Delac, known for his boundless energy and love of long-distance swimming. Harris crafted a 6 kilometre set, which was adapted across the squads: the G
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Last week we were awaiting the results of the North Queensland District Ladies Purple Pennant, contested between Wangaratta, Thuringowa, Home Hill/Brandon, Jubilee, Magnetic Island, Ingham, and Alligator Creek. The winning flag went to Magnetic Island, with our very own Wangaratta Ladies securing runners-up honours. Congratulations, ladies—what a fantastic achievement! Monday’s self-selected triples and Tuesday’s social bowls continued as usual, although results were not available at the time o
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Whitsundays Director Wayne Singleton As markets across Australia shift, the Whitsundays continue to stand out, not just for lifestyle, but for the calibre of property and results being achieved. Sotheby’s International Realty Whitsundays has guided many of the region’s most significant sales, from landmark estates on Hamilton Island to architect-designed homes in Airlie Beach, Bowen and beyond. Airlie Beach, once a seasonal destination, now draws affluent relocators and lifestyle investors se
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