Around 50 people in the community took part in the global Reclaim the Night movement last Saturday. Hosted by Whitsunday Counselling and Support this first-ever local march to raise awareness about sexual violence and the right for everyone to feel safe at night. The walk began at Coral Sea Marina and ended at the Airlie Beach foreshore stage, where participants gathered to share food and conversation. Manager of Whitsunday Counselling and Support Sharon Parker said the inaugural turnout of a
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Airlie Beach’s first-ever Big Freeze proved a huge success, raising around $13,000 for FightMND over the weekend. Event organiser and local FightMND representative Katrina Duggan said the day exceeded expectations, drawing strong community support and plenty of fun. “It was an absolutely fantastic day, and we’ve had such great feedback,” she said. About $13,000 was raised on the day through merchandise sales, raffle tickets, donations, and a sausage sizzle, with local businesses donating 42 r
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Cannonvale is one step closer to gaining a new community heart, with plans now lodged for the highly anticipated Cannonvale Community Hub, a $29.8 million project supported by the Australian Government’s Growing Regions Program. The major development will deliver a modern library, customer service centre and a range of flexible community meeting spaces, all set within landscaped parkland. Together, these facilities will anchor Galbraith Park as the social and civic green heart of Cannonvale. A
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Big news for the Whitsundays, Mayor Ry Collins has been appointed to the Host Mayors Advisory Group for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The advisory group plays a key role in shaping how the Games will benefit communities across Queensland, ensuring regional areas have a voice in planning and legacy outcomes. With the Whitsundays proudly set to host the Olympic sailing events, Mayor Collins’ appointment ensures the region is well represented as preparations for the world’s bigge
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With storm season now upon us (November to April), residents are urged to stay alert and prepare for cyclones and severe storms, which can bring destructive winds over 200km/h, heavy rain, flooding, lightning, hail, and storm surges. Preparation is key. Secure outdoor furniture, wheelie bins, and loose items that could become dangerous in high winds. If you have a pool, submerge plastic furniture to prevent it flying around. Park vehicles under shelter, unplug electrical appliances, and ensure
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Last Thursday evening Bowen State High School celebrated their 65th Academic Awards Ceremony. Held at McKenna Hall infront of a full audience students from the school were congratualted for thier remarkable achievements. On the night Principal Rob Harris said although a select group of students were recognised for their outstanding achievements, it is imporatnt to also acknowledge the collective contributions of the entire school community. "Each student and staff member has played a vital ro
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Whitsunday Coast Airport (WCA) continues to soar as Australia’s fastest-growing regional airport, with Jetstar introducing its new Airbus A321 aircraft on selected routes. The upgraded aircraft started last Sunday and offers 230 seats, up from 186, and, combined with ten additional weekly services, will deliver a 30 per cent boost in total capacity for the Whitsundays. It creates an extra 117,000 seats annually, creating more opportunities for visitors to experience the region and supporting th
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The Proserpine PCYC was buzzing with activity over the weekend as more than 600 people turned out for this year’s Haunted House event. Crowds lined up from start to finish to experience the spooky attraction, which featured a redesigned layout allowing visitors to queue in air-conditioned comfort. Sergeant Billy Li from PCYC Whitsunday emphasized how great the event went, and can't wait for next year. Alongside the Haunted House, an escape room run by St Catherine’s Catholic College students
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In 2024, Beachfront Collaborative officially launched as the Whitsundays’ answer to flexible, high-quality workspaces. The idea was sparked by the team at PD Law, who often use the space themselves. Today, it offers a calm, professional environment designed for the wider community. The coworking hub offers everything from hot desks and a WiFi lounge to a soundproof pod for private calls and a sophisticated boardroom perfect for training or presentations – all available to book by the hour, seve
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Looking Ahead to 2032 It has been an exciting few weeks for our region, and I am honoured to represent the Whitsundays on the Host Mayors Advisory Group for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. With the Whitsundays confirmed as the host for Olympic sailing, this appointment gives our community a seat at the table as Queensland prepares to welcome the world. It means we can help shape the planning and delivery of an event that will bring long-term benefits for regional Queensland, no
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The Aged Care Reform Info Hub is now open at Proserpine Library! As part of the hub, we’re hosting a special one-hour information session at 10am on Thursday 6 November at the library. The session will feature guest speakers from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, along with Aged Care Specialist Officers from Services Australia. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest aged care reforms, receive guidance on the My Aged Care platform and access expert advice and
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SUGAR BIN COLLAPSES Fifty years ago, on Monday, November 3 1975, just after 3 pm, word raced through the town that the ninety foot, 3000 ton sugar bin at the Proserpine Sugar Mill (PSM) had collapsed. This shocking news was followed quickly by a wave of relief when residents learned that no one was injured in this disaster. By nightfall, thousands of sightseers, most armed with cameras, had inspected the damage. The disaster attracted media attention nationwide. The sugar bin was the largest su
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The Airlie Beach Festival of Music is once again proving why it’s known as "The Ultimate Music Holiday," not just for its epic lineup, but for its deep roots and support within the Whitsundays community. As the town transforms into one giant stage, the festival is celebrating a year of unprecedented success. This year, the festival has smashed all previous ticket sales and will deliver its biggest lineup yet. This success is directly tied to the festival’s flexible ticketing, opening up more wa
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The Airlie Beach Festival of Music is set to be the biggest and most diverse lineup yet. With three full days (plus a welcome party and after party) of world-class acts across 15 iconic venues, the Whitsundays are preparing for a spectacular town-wide music takeover. From rock legends and chart-topping pop stars to Australia’s finest blues and roots artists, the stage is set for an unforgettable journey of sound. Kick-Off and Friday Rock Royalty The party begins on Thursday night at the Magnu
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The heat is picking up and there's nowhere better than the movie screen to escape the heat. Bowen Summergarden Cinema located on 40 Murroona Street in Bowen has been showing blockbusters to Whitsunday residents since 1948 and its the perfect place to visit to get out of the humid air. This Halloween weekend Twilight is showing again in cinemas to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first book. In Twilight Bella Swan, a teenager who moves to the small town of Forks, Washington. There, she mee
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Friday 31 October Grand View Hotel: Matt Black Band(from 8pm) Sorrento: Kaedan McCarthy (4pm - 7pm) Horseshoe Bay Cafe: David Flower and Friends(5.30pm - 8.30pm) KC's: Velvet Divan (from 8pm) Saturday 1 November Airlie Beach Hotel: Grease Tribute (2pm - 5.30pm) Grand View Hotel: DJ Night (from 8pm) Sorrento: Kieran McCarthy (4pm - 7pm) Horseshoe Bay Cafe: David Flower and Friends (5.30pm - 8.30pm) Sunday 2 November Airlie Beach Hotel: Two Strong Hearts / John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John Tri
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November 2 Bowen Community Markets, Hansen Park, from 8:00am 5 Social Seniors - Coffee and Chat, Cannonvale Library, from 9am 7 Rango followed by Drop Dead Fred, The Movie Screen at Airlie Beach Foreshore in Coconut Grove, 6:00pm 9 Bowen Community Markets, Hansen Park, from 8:00am **11 Remembrance Day ** 11 Social Seniors - Coffee and Chat, Proserpine Library, from 9am 12 Whitsunday Quilters & Hand Crafts Group, Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, 9:00am-1:30pm, $5pp. 16 Bowen Community Mar
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Hollywood glitz, glam and undeniable groove will hit the Airlie Beach Hotel on Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th of November for two stellar shows by Andrew De Silva. A national treasure, Andrew De Silva has earned the title of one of Australia’s most accomplished and enduring voices in R&B and soul, leading him to accumulate an ARIA Award and a well-deserved place in Australian music history. In 2012, Andrew captured the hearts of the nation when he was crowned winner of Australia’s Got Tal
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If you’re searching for a gentle, affectionate and loyal companion, look no further, Narlyn is your girl! This beautiful rescue sweetheart was saved and is now thriving in foster care, where she’s learning just how wonderful life can be. Narlyn is soft-natured, loving, and ready to find her forever family who’ll show her the same kindness she gives in return. She enjoys the simple things, a comfy spot by your side, a gentle walk, and the company of other dogs. With her sweet temperament and fr
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Hi Everyone, It's definitely heating up at the moment, and that means one thing... stingers are back! Fun fact about stingers, or more formally known as 'Irukanji's,' is that they have lots of eyes, with some having up to 24! Some are just sensitive to light and others help form actual images, although not to the level of detail our human eyes can. In this weeks Ruth2Reef, we cover what to do if you come into contact with a stinger as well as information on sharks and their six senses. Addit
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Here Are Some Safe Swimming Tips What is a stinger or Irukanji? Irukanji refers to tiny, highly venomous box jellyfish found in northern Australia. The Irukanji gives a nasty sting which can cause the severe medical condition, Irukanji Syndrome. The Irukanji was named after the Yirrganydji Aboriginal people who are native to the coastal region near Cairns. Irukandji Syndrome often causes mild symptoms, but in very rare cases, it can be life-threatening. While stinger season is a regular occura
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Bowen Tourism and Business is calling for nominations to join the committee and has set the date and venue for the Annual General Meeting. The not-for-profit Local Tourism Organisation has about 200 members, comprising tourism and non-tourism businesses. The organisation is responsible for operating the Bowen Visitor Information Centre next to the Big Mango and the Information Booth at Bowen’s Front Beach. The centres are run by a small but dedicated team of dedicated staff and volunteers Any
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Sharks are among the most efficient predators on Earth—and for good reason! They have six powerful senses that help them hunt, survive, and thrive in the ocean. While humans only have five senses—sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch—sharks have all of these, plus an incredible sixth sense called electroreception. Let’s explore how each of these senses works and why they make sharks such amazing hunters. Hearing Sharks can hear sounds from up to a kilometre away. Their hearing is especially
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It’s been another exciting week at our little club in paradise, with plenty of action both on and off the green. Tuesday afternoon social bowls, brilliantly organised by Wendy Pomeroy, saw 18 bowlers in play. The biggest winning margin went to skipper Barry Wise, who has settled into the club like a duck to water since joining us from Tasmania. With lead Eric Barnard and his wife Maureen, they were easily the standout team on the green. Wednesday afternoon social bowls, under the watchful eye
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Warm and dry conditions didn’t deter Proserpine golfers last week, with players making the most of the fast fairways and steadily improving greens. Tuesday’s Single Stableford saw John Wallace continue his consistent form, taking the men’s win with 40 points on a countback from James Kontis. In the ladies’ event, Elspeth Scotford led with 39 points ahead of Rehab Hull on 37. The veterans also produced strong results, with Allison McCarthy again in top touch, carding an impressive 41 points to
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