Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
This year, Festival launched the Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards, offering $10,000 in cash prizes to recognise and honour outstanding contributions to the literary and design landscape. The Heart Awards’ mission is to spotlight the diverse talents within the Australian creative community while also paying homage to the Whitsunday’s Heart Reef. Festival President Karen Jacobsen expressed enthusiasm for the awards program, “We believe in celebrating the richness of Australian creativity in al
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As economic pressures mount, regional festivals like the Whitsundays Writers Festival face the challenge of maintaining quality while cutting costs. Complaints about the lack of government and community support are growing in regional towns, but there’s a simple solution: buy a ticket. Even if you can’t attend, your purchase can help pay it forward, allowing someone else to experience the event. Supporting arts and culture doesn’t require grand gestures; it’s as easy as buying a ticket. This sm
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Earlier this year The Whitsundays Writers Festival excitedly announced Beach Book Boutique as its official Festival Bookshop. Established in September 2015, Airlie Beach’s iconic independent bookstore overlooks the expansive lagoon. It offers new releases and second-hand books in-store and online, including their unique book exchange for new and high-quality recycled books. Beach Book Boutique’s owner Belinda Harris is very excited for the festival: “We are looking forward to having a great w
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Closing the Festival on Sunday 8 September will be the Local Author Long, celebrating the writing journeys of some of the Festival’s Featured Local Authors. Over lunch, the following authors will discuss their diverse genres, careers, and connections to the Whitsundays: • RACHEL ARMSTRONG award winning North Queensland contemporary romantic fiction author. • LORIE BRINK Townsville local and writes action-adventure books, with her debut novel to be launched at the festival. • HA
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Headlining this year’s festival is Shankari Chandran, winner of the prestigious 2023 Miles Franklin Literary Award for Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens. Shankari’s journey is as captivating as her writing. Raised in Canberra, she spent a transformative decade in London, where she worked as a lawyer dedicated to social justice. Upon returning to Australia, Shankari shifted her focus from legal advocacy to the art of storytelling. Through her writing, she delves into themes of dispossession and th
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More than 3000 people took advantage of the low tides this week to walk to the North Head Lighthouse from the Bowen mainland. People travelled long distances to be in the region for this event and were joined by many locals. The lowest tide was on Monday but some managed to make the trek on Sunday and Tuesday too. The lighthouse is located about 1km from the mainland, but you can only walk across when the tide is very low – and that only happens a couple times a year, making it a special occa
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On Wednesday 14th August, the sea received a wonderful gift in the shape of a well-rested and recovered turtle. In June, Chez, a beautiful sea turtle struggling with buoyancy near Bowen’s Yacht Club, was spotted by Joe Bell and other water enthusiasts. They carefully transported her to shore. Tracey Bazzo from Bowen Sea Turtle Assessment and Rehabilitation (BSTAR) was initially unavailable, so wildlife carer Jo Bell took Chez to BSTAR. After emergency care, Chez was transferred to Libby Edge at
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The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Grand View Hotel: Tim Griffin (8pm – 12am) KC’s: Phoenix Revival (from 8pm) Sailing Club: Live Music (5-8pm) Saturday 24 August The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Beach Boys (2pm – 5.30pm) The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Grand View Hotel: Chris Webb (8pm – 12am) Coral Sea Pavilion: Live Music (from 1pm) KC’s: Sar-Rah (from 8pm) Sailing Club: Live Music (1-8pm) Sunday 25 August The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Back to the 80s (
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August 24 Mini Roller Disco, PCYC Whitsunday, from 10am 24 Thanks Doc, Larrikin Hotel, from 5.30pm 25 Dingo Beach Sunday Markets, Dingo Beach Community Hall grounds, from 8am 29 The Gruffalo, at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, from 6pm 30 The Gruffalo, at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre from 10am 30 Ross Noble – Jibber Jabber Jamboree, at the Proserpine Entrainment Centre, from 8pm 31 Mini Roller Disco, PCYC Whitsunday, from 10am 31 Proserpine Whitsunday Uniting Church Flower Show & Fe
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This week we introduce Jonathan Pourau, (Jono for short) from Painting Made Easy & Affordable. A business providing house painting services that eradicates cracks, mould, rust and rot. Jonathon moved to the Whitsundays in 1995 and began by teaching kickboxing at Fitness Venue. He earned his QBCC licence in 2007, allowing him to become licensed for painting and waterproofing. As a 20-year certified Dulux Acratex Applicator and a 10-year Dulux Avista Applicator, Jonathon says it’s his pre
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Following last year's success, Flametree Gathering returns over the Father’s Day weekend, for a family-friendly, fun time. Co-organiser Bronwyn Garland is excited for the weekend which is said to be a small and intimate festival due to only 200 tickets being up for purchase. “It's an intimate festival, it is not too big so people can get to know each other, and it is family friendly,” said Bronwyn. “We invite families to come, and children 12 and under can come for free, because it's the Fath
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Greg Andrews (Sir Elton John) has performed his tribute in over 30 countries and to this date is the only Elton John Tribute to be asked to perform at tribute festival Tribfest in Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Tribfest is a strictly invite only festival and Greg is extremely proud of that. “Being Australian and then being chosen to do British royalty on English soil, was a wonderful experience and the reception I got from the Brits was fantastic,” Greg added. “It was an incredible experience per
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Sam, a 'retired'/dumped ex-racehorse, has been at Animal Rescue Whitsunday since September 2021. Sam is a gelding, 18 years old and 17 hands tall. He is as gentle as they come and has been handled a lot, but most people are not tall enough to ride him without using a ladder! He always comes second in the pecking order, contrary to AJ who is as bossy as they get. AJ, a gelding, is a sturdy ex-stock horse, age unknown (no brand), probably around 15 years of age. He was surrendered with 4 other h
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Whitsunday Thrift Club has announced its next market date on Sunday, September 8th at Kipara Rainforest Retreat. The club, headed by organiser Kaitlin Cavanagh is on a mission to revolutionize the pre-loved clothing market in the Whitsundays and bring the community together. With limited local shopping options and a growing trend of online shopping, Whitsunday Thrift Club has identified the need for a space where people could find unique, quality pieces and where others could sell their preloved
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The Sea Eagles Family Day in Airlie Beach was a hit, with perfect weather and plenty of family fun. Activities like face painting, bounce castles, and giveaways kept everyone entertained, while the newly opened Sea Eagles Family Playground was a highlight. As the finals approach, the Sea Eagles are ready to take on their opponents. Senior Men’s Close Call In a nail-biting match, the Sea Eagles Senior Men narrowly lost to Bakers Creek Tigers, 42–48. Despite a slow start, strong performances from
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Moranbah was alive with excitement on Saturday, August 10, as the Proserpine-Whitsunday Raiders charged into the 2024 Limitless Mackay Rugby Union Semi-Finals. The day began early, with three Raiders teams ready for action, all safely transported by sponsors Whitsunday Transit. The Raiders' quest for victory was marked by a full day of thrilling rugby. Men’s Reserves: Dominant Display The Raiders Men's Reserves kicked off the day against Slade Point Reserves. Although they secured a commanding 5
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As winter bids farewell in paradise and the arrival of spring approaches, Airlie Beach Bowls Club is gearing up for the erection of its new hard cover. This week was packed with exciting events and impressive performances on the greens. Wednesday afternoon featured the Jackpot Bowls, organized by Merve Stewart. Skipper Rick Galea and his lead, Alan Pershouse, demonstrated a strong return to form with a commanding victory. Despite their outstanding performance, the Jackpot prize remained unclaime
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This week at Proserpine Bowls Club was eventful. On Wednesday, Social Bowls featured Rob Burglun and Philip Brown beating Bruce Uhe and Bob Preston 23-15, while Alen Sanderson and Peter Lawton narrowly edged out Mary Hedgelong and Sandy Daffara 15-14. Arthur Griffith and Bruce Magilton won 27-7 against Chris Behncky and Heather Brown. Friday's Club Championship Singles saw Michael Kinnear defeat Shane Kinnear 25-14. Michael will represent the club at the Champion of Champion Singles in Mackay on
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This week at the Bowls Club was bustling with activity across various events. On Monday, the self-selected triples saw Robin Stitt, David Madden, and Chris Frew clinch victory against Viv Boskma, June Paynting, and Chris Healey. The jackpot, unfortunately, was not won. Tuesday’s social bowls featured a thrilling match on Rink 1, where Mary Jackson, Col Parker, and John Tainsu triumphed over Bruce Thompson, Ann Kayser, Brian Bellingham, and Greg Colquhoun. The runners-up were Karon McKenzie, Ther
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The weekly 9-hole Stableford competition saw Peter Bitz emerge as the winner, securing first place with 22 points. Rhys Bartholomew claimed second place with 19 points, while Jay Steele finished in third place with 18 points, determined by count-back. On Friday's 9-hole Stableford, Donnovan Pettiford took top honors with 20 points. Peter Bitz followed in second place with 19 points, and Andrew Gomez secured third place with 18 points, also determined by count-back. Sunday's 18-hole Stableford wa
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Sunday brought a beautiful, sunny day to the Whitsunday Golf Club after players navigated dense fog from both directions on their way to the WGC August Monthly Medal and Least Putts competition. Despite the fog, 17 golfers participated, and everyone enjoyed the fine weather, with no complaints about the conditions. Whitsunday Golf Club Results: Ladies A Grade: • Winner: Tiina Randmae with a nett score of 74 • Runner-up: Anna Winterbourn with a nett 75 • Longest Drive: Karen Rix Ladie
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The Cannons Swim Club gathered for a night of celebration during their recent Club Night, where achievements and milestones were recognized with great enthusiasm. Coach Ken Crittenden led the evening by acknowledging the exceptional performances of the club’s returning state swimmers. The club takes immense pride in these athletes, who competed against Queensland's top swimmers, and the anticipation is already building for the next State event in December. The evening continued with the announce
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By Amanda Wright The 9th Annual M&P Services-Key Solutions Group Charity Golf Day was a swingin’ success, teeing off with a record 166 players on Friday. Mayor Greg Williamson officially kicked off the event, where local businesses took to the greens, aiming for glory and a good cause. Despite no one claiming the $25,000 hole-in-one prize, the day was a hit with novelty holes like "Hit & Hope," where a lucky participant won a large LED TV from Harvey Norman Electrical. The event, now a premier
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As the Olympic flame fades and our screens return to more mundane fare, I can't help but reflect on some of the highlights that had me practically shouting at the TV. Not too loudly though, I had a sleeping toddler in the next room. My Olympic enthusiasm runs deep—so deep, in fact, that when my husband and I first met in 2008, our second date was a late-night affair watching the Beijing Opening Ceremony, only to doze off waiting for New Zealand to appear. And a fun fact, my high school had me p
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Matt from Pressure Kings Pressure Cleaning recently made a significant impact in his community through a touching act of generosity. A local neighbour shared on Facebook how Matt generously offered a free driveway pressure clean to Pete, a veteran facing terminal cancer. Not only did Matt take care of the cleaning, but he also personally thanked Pete for his service in the army. Matt is now offering free driveway pressure cleans to other elderly residents who might be in need. This initiativ
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