Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
At the Metropole Hotel Proserpine, they believe in more than just great service, they believe in the community. At the driving force behind the retail and corporate liquor sales division is Bruce Spannagle. With over 20 years of experience in the liquor industry, Bruce brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication, and a genuine passion for helping local businesses and customers alike. Whether you're a café, restaurant, event organiser, or small business, Bruce and the Metropole team are there to ma
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Proserpine State High School student Allegra Bradley has returned to Australia after her life-changing Anzac Tour of Europe walking in the footsteps of our Anzacs. The trip was made possible because Allegra was named one of the eight Premier’s Anzac Prize recipients from across Queensland for 2025. As part of the application process, Allegra had to submit a video research project about a local service person. “I met with local historians and ex-service men who were very kind to share with me
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Television presenter Greg Grainger has been in Bowen and Collinsville filming for an episode of “Travel Oz”. The show is expected to be aired on Channel 7TWO at 8.30am on Saturday, May 17. It will also be aired on international TV. The crew were hosted by Bowen Tourism and Business with co-sponsors – Rose Bay Beach Caravan Park, the Collinsville Community Association, Meraki Whitsundays, and the North Queensland Cruising Yacht Club. Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said
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Proserpine Golf Club celebrated its centenary in style with a three-day golf festival over the weekend. Friday kicked off with a 9-hole competition followed by sunset canapés, with ticket options including golf and gift packs or an evening of gourmet treats. Saturday upped the ante with an 18-hole showdown and a celebration dinner, offering a three-course feast and great company. The festivities wrapped up on Sunday with a 3-Ball Ambrose event, where teams were invited to tee off in a friendl
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Bowen State High School is set to bring the house down with its production of ‘School of Rock’, a high-energy musical based on the 2003 Paramount film. The story follows wannabe rock star Dewey Finn, who poses as a substitute teacher and secretly transforms his straight-A students into a rock band in time for the Battle of the Bands. Featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Glenn Slater, and a book by Julian Fellowes, ‘School of Rock’ has enjoyed global success and now the Bowen stude
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What a week at ATE25! Tourism Whitsundays was proud to represent our region on the global stage in Brisbane. Alongside 10 passionate operators, we formed Team Whitsundays, showcasing the very best of our destination to the world. Across four busy days, we held 84 appointments with international buyers from over 30 countries. Each meeting was an opportunity to highlight the unique experiences and natural beauty that make The Whitsundays so special. Beyond the tradeshow floor, the famil program
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The weather this past week has certainly been a mixed bag, but there’s been a lot of you making the best of it and catching great fish despite it. One thing’s for sure – the drop in humidity has been welcomed by all! Dam The dam has been producing some good barramundi over the past week, particularly in the bays and creeks in the southern part. There have also been some cracking sooty’s coming over the side as a bycatch. The water temperature is starting to drop, which means it’s a great time
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This past week I had the privilege of joining fellow Mayors Greg Williamson (Mackay) and Kelly Vea Vea (Isaac) in Brisbane, as part of a united Greater Whitsunday delegation led by GW3. Over two days, we proudly showcased the strength and opportunity of our region to key state decision-makers – culminating in the Greater Possibilities Showcase at Queensland Parliament House, attended by more than 90 ministers, Director-Generals and invited guests. The flavours of our region made the journey wi
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Social bowls enthusiasts made the most of mixed weather conditions last week, with several solid performances on the green and the long-anticipated return of Barefoot Bowls. On Wednesday, ten players took part in social games, with Trevor Parsons and Philip Brown claiming a convincing 28–11 win over Alen Sanderson and Barry Zillmann. Meanwhile, the trio of Aurora, Bruce Uhe, and Heather Brown secured a 24–15 victory over Arthur Griffith, John Anderson, and Sandy Daffara. Friday night saw the s
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With Easter and Anzac Day behind us, members of the Airlie Beach Bowls Club paused to reflect on the sacrifices of our service men and women. We are reminded how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful part of the country—especially here in our own slice of paradise. Tuesday morning saw continued action in the Ladies Singles and Pairs competitions, with only one social game played, meaning no prizes were awarded for the day. On Wednesday, Ted Cullen and Noel Crosbie dominated the green, w
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All five Sea Eagles AFL teams braved the wet and windy conditions for the home crowd on the weekend with some great results. Lots of supporters were out and about also making the most of having footy back at The Nest, enjoying the new rendition of the Sea Eagles Club song multiple times with wins throughout the day. Sea Eagles Senior Men clashed with Mackay City Hawks using the wind to their advantage in the first quarter, able to hold that lead for the remainder of the game running out winners
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The Airlie Beach Hotel is turning 57, and following last years spectacular birthday, the pub is turning up the volume for this year! To kick off the birthday, ‘The Yachtski Brothers’ will be hitting the stage, they will be bringing a vibe to the party that has never been seen before. Although their vibe is unmatched, The Pub is urging all of you to get up in 70’s and 80’s gear, a vibe many remember. Everyone is encouraged to get dressed up and arrive in style. There will also be Birthday Cake
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May 8 Proserpine Rock Wallaby Festival 8th – 11th | Exhibition Opening Night 6:30pm 9 Mamma Mia, The Movie Screen at Airlie Beach Foreshore in Coconut Grove, 6:00pm 10 Art in the Park, Proserpine Entertainment Centre, from 9:00am - varied class start times. Bookings required for class participation, $25pp. Exhibition free. 10 Car Boot Sale, Airlie Beach Bowls Club, 9:00am-3:00pm **11 Mother’s Day ** 11 Bowen Community Markets, Hansen Park, from 8:00am 11 Handmade & Homecrafted Markets, Ke
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Friday 9th The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Grand View Hotel: Julias Dator (from 8pm) Saturday 10th May The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Shania Twain Tribute (2pm – 5.30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Grand View Hotel: 80s to the MAX (from 8pm) Coral Sea Pavillion: (Live Music & DJ Session 1pm – 6pm) Sunday 11th May (MOTHER’S DAY) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Shania Twain Tribute (2pm – 5.30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beac
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Young athletes from across the region will take to the fields this Friday, 9 May, as the Whitsunday Touch Association hosts its highly anticipated Touch Football School Trials at Club Whitsunday. The trials are expected to draw a strong turnout of talented students, all vying for selection and keen to showcase their skills, teamwork, and fitness on the field. Touch football, a fast-paced and strategic non-contact sport, continues to grow in popularity throughout Queensland schools, and this loc
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Proserpine will come alive with colour, creativity and community spirit when the Rock Wallaby Festival comes to Proserpine from 8 to 11 May 2025. This event will celebrate local art, music and culture, with an exciting lineup of exhibitions, workshops, entertainment and family-friendly activities. The festivities begin on Thursday, 8 May, with the official Festival and Exhibition Opening Night from 6pm to 8pm. The evening will feature the announcement of the Art Exhibition winners, the launch o
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A significant fire broke out at a Hostel in Bowen last Wednesday morning 30th April, and sadly a fatality has been confirmed. At approximately 3:30am a large-scale response was initiated by emergency services after police were alerted to a building fully engulfed in flames on Gordon Street, following reports from concerned locals. Fire crews from the local station were swiftly deployed, with three teams arriving on scene around 3:40am. The fire, located near the intersection of Brisbane Stre
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Local author and writers’ mentor Richard Evans is set to captivate readers with his latest political thriller, 'Horrible People', the first in the Jack Hudson MP series. Drawing on his experience as a former federal politician and national industry leader, Evans brings a unique and authentic perspective to political storytelling. Evans believes apathy towards politics often breeds scepticism and discontent. 'Horrible People' explores this idea through a compelling narrative filled with page-tur
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Following a successful 2024 event, the Whitsundays Writers Festival is thrilled to announce its 2025 From the Heart Keynote speaker—Dr Anita Heiss. An award-winning author of 25 books, Dr Heiss is a proud Wiradyuri woman, Indigenous Literacy Foundation Ambassador, and Professor of Communications at the University of Queensland. Her novels include Manhattan Dreaming, Tiddas, and Barbed Wire and Cherry Blossoms, with Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray winning the 2022 NSW Premier’s Literary Prize for In
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The Whitsundays Songwriter Festival is proud to announce that multiple Golden Guitar award winner Brad Butcher will be at the 4th annual festival due to take place in Airlie Beach this June. In 2024, the Central Queensland-born singer-songwriter wowed all four coaches on The Voice Australia, ultimately joining Team LeAnn Rimes. Since then, demand for his performances has soared, and the festival committee say they are thrilled to welcome him as part of their Professional Faculty. Brad Butcher
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Football – Whitsunday United FC Friday 9th May • 6:00pm: Division 2 Men vs Mackay Lions • 8:00pm: Division 1 Men vs Mackay Lions Saturday 10th May • 9.30am: U14 vs Magpies FC • 11:15am: U15/16 vs Mackay Lions Green • 5:00pm: U23 Men vs City Brothers FC • 7:00pm: Men vs City Brothers FC AWAY MATCH 9:30am: • U13 Div 1 vs Mackay Lions (at Mackay Football Park) • U13 FQPL vs Mackay Lions (at Mackay Football Park) ***AFL - Whitsunday Sea Eagles AWAY MATCH • 3.20pm: Senior Men vs Magpies at R
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The countdown has begun! Gilmour Space Technologies is gearing up for its next big launch from Bowen, with a launch window set to open 'no earlier than' May 15. The maiden flight of Eris will be the first Australian-designed and built rocked aiming for orbit. Gilmour Space has received airspace management approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority - CASA. Gilmour Space made history in March last year when its Bowen spaceport was granted the first orbital launch facility licence in Aust
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The family business behind a proposal for an Australian-first, immersive dinosaur experience and mini-golf course on the main street of Airlie Beach, has come forward to address a growing number of community concerns around the look and theme of the project. A representative for ‘Jurassic Falls Pty Ltd’, said contrary to some opinions expressed on local social media sites, this was not about bringing “tacky, fake fibreglass dinosaurs” to town. “Our Australian-themed dinosaurs are hyper-realist
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OPINION PIECE Australians are paying on average 32 per cent more for electricity than they were three years ago. Every day, I listen to people in Dawson who tell me one of the biggest pains they feel is the price they now pay to keep the lights on and cool. When people turn on the aircon during a sweltering summer day, they know one flick of a switch is costing more than it should. Pensioners and those on lower incomes tell me they have to choose which appliances to do without. Electricity pai
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The Northern Beaches community is being invited to have their say on the future of their region. With key topics like infrastructure, outdoor spaces, transport, and community events already sparking vibrant discussions, locals are making their voices heard. Now, residents have the exciting opportunity to take it a step further and join focus groups to help shape the future of the Northern Beaches. The Your Place, Your Plan – Northern Beaches Mackay Community Plan, is a partnership betwee
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