It’s been another big week for the Cannonvale Cannons, with new club records, a senior swimmers’ dinner, and the first distance night of the season. First, we’d like to congratulate Tyler Bennett (13 years), who set a new record in the 25 m Freestyle with 12.52 seconds, and Tora Delac (14 years), who broke the 50 m Freestyle record in 27.83 seconds. Our annual Senior Swimmer Dinner was held this week — a special evening for our high-school swimmers and coaches. A huge thank-you to Hog’s Breath
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More than 2000 people turned out for a successful Bowen Cup Day on Saturday, enjoying a full day of racing, fashion, and fun at the Bowen Turf Club. “It was really good just over 2000 people attended, and it was a really successful day,” said organiser Emily Harvey. “We had heaps of catered marquees, perfect weather, and a great crowd atmosphere.” The event featured a Sportsbet Tomato Relay with $4000 in prize money, and Lux Whitsundays ran the popular Fashions on the Field, celebrating the b
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Bowen students are putting their best foot forward this Queensland Mental Health Week with the launch of specially designed “mental health socks.” The initiative, led by the 2025 student leadership team, will be part of a mindfulness market at the school this Wednesday. The socks are black, aligning with school uniform requirements, and feature a colourful message on the arch of the foot: “Just because you don’t see the struggles, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Be kind always.” The message is hi
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Bowen Flexi Care In 2025, Bowen Flexi Care celebrates 30 years of dedicated support for people living with disabilities and their families across the Whitsunday region. What began as a small community initiative in 1995 has grown into a cornerstone of local care embodying compassion, inclusion, independence and resilience. CEO Elise Woodhouse said this is not only Bowen Flexi Care but for the community, participants, and staff. “I feel very proud that Bowen Flexi Care has established itself an
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After taking over management of Queens Beach Tourist Village just last year, new operators Mel and Bob Sotheringham are already gearing up for their first big milestone the Whitsunday Tourism Awards this Saturday night. “It’s our first year since we took over the park on the first of October last year,” Mel said. “This park’s done so well in the past, and we’re hoping we’re going to crack it this year.” The Bowen-based park has earned silver in both 2023 and 2024, but Mel is quietly confident
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Adventure, Simply Done Better As the Whitsunday Tourism Awards draw near, Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays has earned a well-deserved nomination, an achievement that owner John Linton says reflects not just their exceptional guest experiences, but a deep respect for the Whitsundays’ cultural and natural heritage. For 20 years, Portland Roads Sailing the Whitsundays has charted a unique course through Ancient Ngaro Sea Country, offering travellers the freedom to skipper their own vessel wh
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Organisation doesn’t always come naturally when you’re living with ADHD. Forgotten appointments, misplaced items, or that never-ending to-do list can create daily stress. But some practical tools and habits make life feel more manageable. One practical tool is the Eisenhower Matrix. It determines which tasks need immediate action, long term attention, delegation and deletion. Start with external supports. Visual planners, calendars, and phone reminders take the load off your memory. Many peopl
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As the Whitsunday tourism community gathers this Saturday to celebrate the 2025 Whitsunday Tourism Awards, the team at BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort reflects with immense pride on a year that has cemented its place as one of Australia’s most celebrated holiday destinations. Following an extraordinary run of success through the 2024 awards season, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort achieved a truly remarkable milestone - winning Gold for the Caravan and Holiday Parks category at the Whitsunday,
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Airlie Beach favourite The Garden Bar Bistro is once again in the spotlight, named a finalist in this weekend’s Whitsunday Tourism Awards. The waterfront venue has already taken home gold in the Best of Queensland Experience program, earning its place among the region’s top tourism businesses. Owners Penny and Mandy Coles said they’re thrilled to be recognised and are looking forward to the gala event. “It’s always something we look forward to,” said Penny. “It’s an honour to be included among
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Bowen State High School Year 9 student Isaiah Howell has been selected as one of eight outstanding Queensland students to receive the prestigious 2026 Premier’s Anzac Prize, earning the opportunity of a lifetime to travel to Europe and learn about Australia’s rich Anzac legacy. Isaiah will join fellow students from across the state on a two-week educational tour of historic war sites in the United Kingdom, Belgium, and France, culminating in the Anzac Day dawn service at the Australian War Memo
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An evening of exhilarating talent will soon grace the stage of the beloved Airlie Beach Hotel (ABH) as the one and only Bobby Bruce returns to the Whitsunday Shire! Sold out venues from Vancouver to Vegas have had the absolute pleasure of hosting Bobby Bruce live and in concert. Since he began touring internationally, Bobby Bruce, known as Nearly Neil, has gained quite a following and now has fans throughout America, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, Asia and of course, Australia! “So Good, So Good
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The countdown is on for Schoolies 2025, with organisers officially dropping the theme nights for this year’s week-long celebration and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest yet. Running from November 22 to 28, the official Schoolies event will take place each night from 8pm to midnight in a fully enclosed, alcohol-free zone at the Airlie Beach foreshore – the same site used for the Reef Festival. This year’s theme nights promise plenty of fun and creativity, giving Schoolies a new reason to
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Disaster season in the Whitsunday region runs from 1 November to 30 April. During this period, our region is at increased risk of cyclones, storms, floods and bushfires. Taking a few simple steps today to make sure you’re prepared can make all the difference in an emergency. Start by preparing your home: clear gutters, secure loose items and check your property for risks. Create a household disaster plan so everyone knows what to do and where to go. Now is the time to also start prepping a surv
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The season is officially underway for Proserpine Junior Cricket, with the first Club afternoon on Friday, October 10, welcoming many returning and new faces. With more than 120 registrations and counting, the club is set for another bumper season. History was made for the youngest Pitties, with the club fielding its first all-girls team. Their debut was a friendly club clash against the Under 11s Pitties Boys. The boys won the toss and batted first, facing strong bowling from the girls (M. Neal
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Meet Tipsy If a sweet, playful and fun-loving companion is who you’re searching for, Tipsy is your girl! Tipsy is a gorgeous young girl who was saved from the pound and is now safely in foster care. She’s an absolute sweetheart who just wants to be loved, and she’s more than ready to find her forever family! She’s affectionate and full of love to give, and would suit a family ready to enjoy her bucketloads of puppy energy, and provide her with a little training and guidance to see her grow int
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On Monday night, after a long day at the office and a beach walk with the dog, I arrived home with my son, ready to start dinner. “Mum, can you play basketball with me?” he asked as we pulled into the driveway, suggesting I park on the grass so we could wheel the hoop out. “Not tonight, darling, it’s a bit late,” I replied, pulling into the driveway. But then I looked at his little face — and paused. Is it really ever too late? Are we ever too tired to give just 10 minutes to our kids? I swe
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Crocodiles are masters of stealth, and their eyes play a central role in their predatory prowess. Research in the Journal of Experimental Biology shows that crocodile vision is perfectly adapted for lurking just below the water’s surface. Their fovea, responsible for sharp vision, is shaped as a horizontal streak rather than a circle, aligning with the horizon when they adopt their “minimum exposure” ambush posture, with only eyes, cranial platform, ears, and nostrils above water. This lets the
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Seahorses, despite their unusual appearance, are indeed fish. Belonging to the family Syngnathidae and the genus Hippocampus, they share this classification with other marine species like pipefish and sea dragons. They closely resemble the classic knight on a chessboard. Their unique physical characteristics include a horse-like head, monkey-like tail, and armour-like plates. Seahorses primarily inhabit tropical waters, including the Great Barrier Reef, as well as temperate coastal waters. The
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The Collinsville community gathered on Monday, 13 October for the 71st Miners Memorial Day, held at the Collinsville Workers Club. The annual service honours the lives lost in the region’s mining industry, particularly remembering the 1954 Collinsville State Mine disaster, which occurred 71 years ago and claimed the lives of seven local miners. The tragic event took place at 5:50pm on 13 October 1954, when a carbon dioxide (CO₂) outburst in the mine’s Number One Tunnel led to the asphyxiation o
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The Whitsundays tourism industry will be in the spotlight this weekend as the 2025 Whitsundays Tourism Awards take place on Saturday evening at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre. Presented by Tourism Whitsundays, the annual event recognises and celebrates excellence across the region’s tourism sector — from world-class accommodation and immersive experiences to culinary offerings and unforgettable adventures. This year’s event carries the theme A Night of Stars, promising an evening of glamo
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From Social Media To Live Performance - Tones & I Lights Up Bowen! On 14 October 2025, Bowen came alive as Australian superstar Tones & I performed live in the coastal town. The concert was the result of a six-month Facebook campaign by local fan Katie English, whose persistence brought one of the country’s biggest stars to the region. Hundreds of locals and visitors turned out to enjoy her infectious energy and chart-topping hits, including Dance Monkey. The event was more th
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Local resident Cara Robinson has shared her heartfelt gratitude for two ambulance officers who came to her aid during a frightening late-night medical emergency. “I’d like to do a shout out to the beautiful, kind and caring ambulance ladies that helped me in the middle of the night,” Cara said. “Rosie and Kealie, you two are legends!” Cara explained that she had been suddenly struck by illness and was caught completely off guard. “And for everyone in the community, there is a nasty strain of s
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As students across the Whitsundays return to classrooms, a well-packed lunch can play a big role in keeping energy levels steady and concentration sharp throughout the day. A nutritious lunch doesn’t have to be complicated—simple, wholesome ingredients can make a noticeable difference in how students feel and perform. Including a good source of protein in every lunch helps children feel satisfied and focused during lessons. Options like lean meats, eggs, cheese, yogurt, or plant-based alternati
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The October 2025 Monthly Medal was contested today, with 14 ladies and 19 men taking part. Cooler conditions, a slight breeze, and extra run on the fairways made for tight scoring, while ‘sticky’ greens proved no problem for Leanne Alexander and John Grossy, who both recorded just 28 putts. Leanne Alexander claimed the ladies title with 64 nett, ahead of Elspeth Scotford on 66. Rounding out the field were Jan Shuwalow and Elaine Philpott (70), Jacqui Wall and Kath Borer (71), Paula McQuat (73)
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As the new school year kicks off across the Whitsundays, families are looking for ways to help students stay organised and motivated, and one of the simplest yet most effective strategies is establishing a consistent homework routine at home. Maintaining consistency is essential for building good habits, as setting a regular time each afternoon or evening helps children know what to expect and gradually makes homework a normal part of their day. Whether it’s right after school with a snack or f
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