Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Holy cow – blink and it is the end of February! 2024 is charging ahead! Have you settled in and hitting your stride? Or are you still trying to get a handle on the year? An essential quality for everyone in business is endurance – from starting a new business, having big goals to achieve, or just your to do list. Endurance in businesses means owners, operators, and their teams have the willingness to stick it out and the ability to work through challenges productively. Like any endurance athlet
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By Paul Gellatly At last week’s Bowen Chamber of Commerce meeting, Sean Brown, CEO of Bowen Pipeline Company, outlined his vision for a $600 million, 115km pipeline from the Burdekin to Bowen, using on-site extracted HDPE plastic pipeline yielding a 45 per cent cost saving and a five-million km reduction in B-double truck movements. The pipe is to be extruded in 100m lengths and laid in a cutting that follows an old stock route for much of the way, which will simplify the approvals process. It
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Most countries have a system to encourage citizens to save for their retirement. In the USA they are called 401K Accounts, and, in the UK, they are called Pension Accounts. In Australia we call our system the Superannuation system. Is our super system a good system? Would we get a gold medal in the ‘Super Olympics’? When assessing a retirement system, the big questions are, how much investment choice and flexibility you have, and what access to your money you are giving up in return for the ta
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This week marked the start of our latest campaign aimed at boosting visitation through the traditionally quieter periods. We have kicked off with a billboard outside Brisbane Airport and a sponsorship of ‘The Daily Aus’ newsletter and Podcast to target the under 35 demographic nationally. If you travel outside The Whitsundays in the coming weeks and months, keep your eyes peeled for our world-class Whitsundays experiences and accommodation operators in ads on social media. They are also on di
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Are you a Bowen local, with a passion for the region, an interest in writing and storytelling, and desire to give back to the local youth? If so, the Bowen Neighbourhood Centre has the program for you! The idea for the Program stemmed from a team chat where it was noticed that Bowen’s youngest didn’t know much about local traditions and history. “Our children don’t know a lot of the traditions that Bowen has, things that the older in our community just inherently know,” explained Stephanie Cora,
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Established in 2005, by couple Jane and Glenn McGrath, the McGrath Foundation is built on the basis of equipping people diagnosed and fighting breast cancer with the very best breast care, no matter where in Australia they lived. In 2008, Jane McGrath unfortunately lost her life to breast cancer, having secured funding for 50 breast care nurses and leaving the legacy of the McGrath Foundation, for her husband, and Australian cricketing icon, Glenn McGrath to continue. In 2011, the McGrath Foun
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While a wet day, the reception of the ladies at the Bowen Cricket Pink Stumps Ladies Day was great, with over 200 ladies celebrating the McGrath Foundation and breast care. Organiser and Club President, Seth McIntosh was proud of the event. “Even with the rain, it wasn’t a disaster,” he laughed. With special guest Glenn McGrath, with Dr Adrian Westcott of the Mater Hospital in Mackay, Sue Murray Image Specialist with Coastal Radiology, and Mardi Mandersloot, who battled with breast cancer her
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With two more months of cyclone season on the cards on the first half of 2024, now is the best time to get cyclone prepared, with Scott and Lisa Raisbeck of Bowen Small Motors ready and prepped to get you and your family best equipped. Scott’s number one necessity during a cyclone is a capable and appropriate generator. “And even outside of cyclone season, we have enough power blackouts, that having a generator handy is great in any emergency,” he explained. “However, having a generator is gre
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Perfect for the older Bowen locals, the Bowen Neighbourhood Centre is eager to launch their Stay Connected program which helps participants use technology effectively. Designed for Bowen locals over the age of 55-years-old, the Stay Connected program is a weekly program, that will run for 12-months, with small, yet intimate classes, where the program coordinators can ensure each participant is confident and able to navigate the week’s topic effectively. “We’ve designed this program to assist i
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Are you ready for a fun and engaging night out? Then the Collinsville-Scottville Kindy have the perfect event for you! Raising funds for their kindy program, you can party it up for a good cause, with musical bingo the main entertainment. Adults only, you can be sure this will be a hoot, with tickets including the choice of a beer or wine on arrival, nibbles, and a music bingo card. But the fun doesn’t stop there, with raffles and a lucky door prize sure to bring more laughs to the room. Doub
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The Australian Army’s 1RAR Band is heading to Bowen, as part of their Southern Community Engagement Tour, for a special one-night concert. The 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regime, the 1RAR Band has been instrumental in encouraging community engagement with the Australian Army, through the positive and uplifting tunes of their music. “We’re a 22-piece full time band, performing for the community with modern and atmospheric beats,” explained Band Sergeant Major, James Duquemin. Based in To
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The revitalised Whitsundays Writers Festival is gaining momentum, with the recent announcement that acclaimed Australian crime writer Garry Disher will join the lineup of prestigious speakers at the highly anticipated event due to be held this September. Garry Disher, author of the novels ‘Hell To Pay’ and ‘The Divine Wind’, is also a three-time winner of the Ned Kelly Award for Best Novel. He is known for his captivating characters and engaging narratives and is eager to meet with fellow write
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The Great Barrier Reef Art Exhibit has been confirmed to return in 2024, taking centre stage at the refurbished Whitsunday Sailing Club. Scheduled for the first week of August, the exhibition will showcase a curated selection of over 70 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, and photographs, chosen by a panel of judges. The special guest judge, Lauren Turton the Curator of Artspace Mackay, will have the honour of selecting the winning artworks, at the Opening Night on August 1. Margie Murp
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For Ämi Andrews, falling into a fabulous career in the kitchen was a no brainer, a move that she made with calculated decision and passion, always valuing the art of cooking and enjoying the vibrant cuisine-fuelled environment. Having called Airlie Beach home for over four years now, Ämi initially ventured to Australia from London close to 10 years ago, travelling up the east coast before settling for a short period of time. “When I left the UK, I knew being a chef would be great, because I ca
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Anyone in the community that wakes up in the morning feeling sad, lost or alone is encouraged to reach out and come along to the On The Men-d Support Group which takes place at the Skatepark in Cannonvale every Wednesday. Initially a men’s group, the support network is now open to everyone regardless of gender. Established by qualified counsellor, Bob Eden, the informal weekly catch-up is an opportunity for people to share their thoughts and feelings in a safe and respectful space. “It’s all
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The barramundi fishing competition of the year is back, with the organisers Whitsunday Game Fish Club excited to take to the lake. Based at Camp Kanga, the weekend starts with a briefing and registration at Camp Kanga on Friday March 22, from 7pm, for those wishing to get in on the action. Nomination for the Barra Bash is free and prizes will be presented at the conclusion of the weekend, from 1pm, with photo on a brag mat, including the date, of the longest Barra. Anglers can fish the lake,
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With a backdrop of the Coral Sea, on the lush grass of the Coral Sea Marina, the annual Whitsunday Cruisin Car Club Show and Shine is back for another year. The event welcomes a diverse range of classic and unique cars and bikes, with everyone invited to get their vehicle in on the fun. “We hope to have more local entrants and as always welcome those car and bike enthusiasts displaying their own pride and joy,” Club Secretary Kerri Southee explained. “Cars and bikes of all ages, makes and mod
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Back by popular demand, the ‘Sugar Bush Shindig’, brought to you by the organisers of the Cut Out Party, is counting down the days to its next annual event which is due to be held at the Proserpine Showgrounds next month. A celebration of our vibrant sugar industry, the family-friendly community party is a time to honour the history of our region, thank the hard-working teams that keep the industry going and also bring everyone together. This year all proceeds will go to the Royal Flying Docto
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Lebanese migration and settlement in Australia began around 1880. These early migrants were known as Syrians but were classified as Turks by the colonial governments of the day because Lebanon was under Turkish control until the end of World War 1. Life was not easy for these migrants who had no contacts and could not speak English. Undaunted, those with capital became small business men, opening warehouses as well as drapery, hairdressing and grocery shops. Others became itinerant hawkers, of
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Avid writers and aspiring children’s authors from across the region are invited to Bowen Library tomorrow where they will experience an opportunity to connect with other like-minded people and learn about the ever-growing publishing industry for children’s books. Whitsunday Creative Writers and Illustrators (WCBWI) group will host a free event, taking place at 9:30 am, on the 24th of February, titled "Publishing Houses vs. Self-Publishing.” WCBWI President, Dr Sofia Fortunato, a local writer a
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Photo credit: Bronte Hodge and Moments by JLF
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Coral Sea Academy offers an extensive range of events, aimed at locals and visitors alike, discussing topics that are meaningful to the Whitsundays, and to inspire the community to do more. The Coral Sea Academy focuses on providing interactive events to consciously connect people to not only boating, but the environment and themselves, leaving them feeling inspired and empowered. Embark on a journey that inspires you to become a part of something bigger, to make the change and be the change.
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Whitsundays’ own Michael Kimpton is continuing to show resilience and non-stop commitment, taking the top podium finish for his age group at the iconic Half Ironman even in Hobart, Tasmania in early February. Following this huge success, he has now being invited to represent Australia at the World Half Ironman Championships in Taupo, New Zealand in December this year. “I’ve already met my new year’s resolution,” Michael joked. “I’ve had this event in Tasmania earmarked since November, and I gea
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Sports training plays a pivotal role in nurturing resilience and kindness in children, instilling essential life skills that extend far beyond the playing field. Through the challenges and triumphs experienced in sports, children learn invaluable lessons that shape their character and behavior. Firstly, sports training teaches resilience by exposing children to adversity and setbacks in a controlled and supportive environment. Whether facing defeat in a game or struggling to master a new skill,
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• Check the weather, check the weather, check the weather! – and if you are in any doubt, don’t go out! • Visibility: Operate slowly in rain, fog, mist, smoke and glare. Take special care when travelling at night as potential hazards are harder to see. Ensure you operate at a safe speed. • Other boats: Slow down in busy areas and when near moored or anchored boats, and remember — working boats and larger ships may have difficulty manoeuvring. • Navigation hazards: Slow down in shallow area
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