Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
As the current Councillor for Division 4, I have a four-year term under my belt already which brings a fair bit of experience. During my term, I’ve gotten to know a lot of people in my division. I understand that if they’re contacting a Councillor, they genuinely have a concern, so I always do my best to help as much as I can. I’m married with three school age children and have lived in Bowen my whole life, a fourth generation local. The biggest thing that I would love to rectify immediately i
Read more
The ‘why’ of your business and other key lessons from Kapow Interactive Ambi Middleton joined Whitsunday based digital marketing company Kapow Interactive in 2021, switching career paths after spending time in the maritime and health industries. “No one day is ever the same at Kapow Interactive. One day I’ll be managing social media for a builder, the next I’m designing a website for a childcare centre. It helps broaden, inspire, and entertain my creative side,” she said. Ambi is a sponge f
Read more
As a Cannonvale resident, I believe we can improve how council serves us. My background in film and television has sharpened my budgeting skills and departmental leadership, equipping me to tackle the diverse challenges facing our community. I'm very careful and thorough with all the paperwork and I’m very able to help with people’s questions and concerns. These skills and experience gained since becoming a councillor in 2022 make me a great fit for the role. The most difficult thing is to cho
Read more
Being a successful business owner, I understand the challenges and opportunities that our business owners face daily in Bowen. I am dedicated to representing the vibrant spirit of our community, and I am particularly passionate about fostering the growth of local businesses. I am reaching out to individuals who share a common vision for our community’s growth, prosperity and resilience. I believe that together, we can invest in initiatives that fuel growth, making Bowen an even better place to l
Read more
My professional qualifications, experience and community involvement include: Fellow Certified Practising Accountants, Bachelor Business Degree, Graduate Certificate Local Government. Employment: Manager SBB Partners (Accountants, Business Advisors) Bowen. Former Managing Director Rekenen Accountants. Council Positions: Chief Executive Officer, Director Corporate and Financial Services. Community: Current Treasuer - Bowen Community Centre, Bowen Collinsville Enterprise, Bowen Christian Outreach
Read more
With a long history in the Whitsundays, raising our family in Cannonvale, I’m well positioned to represent our community. A business owner-operator of 45 years (Cannonvale and Proserpine) I’ve gained strong communication and negotiation skills. I’m community-focussed and bring experience as a former Councillor. My decisions are made in the best interest of Division 2 and region. I’ve organised major events and been on boards for Tourism Whitsundays, NQ Games and NQ Economic Development supportin
Read more
across year groups being friends, and of assisting each other to better themselves and excel at their chosen passions. This passion for achieving your personal best, and of helping each other is strong in the 2024 College Captains both Primary and Secondary School. For Secondary School Captain, Zoe Shepherd-Smith, she decided to become a captain because she’s always admired the captains, since watching them from Prep. “I’ve seen a lot of captains, and they have helped me develop my own leader
Read more
Get ready to share and experience the many cultures that call the Whitsunday Region home, with the return of the annual Whitsunday Multicultural Festival. Celebrating and sharing the cultures that are prevalent in our region, the Multicultural Festival is sure to have a large variety of food and drink, arts, music, and performances scheduled for the day. Don’t miss the excellent cultural cooking, traditional dance, and amazing activities and celebrate our Whitsunday Way. This year, the Whitsu
Read more
The 2024 School Leaders of Proserpine State High School have officially been inducted into their roles, at a special ceremony last week. These students are now eager to begin their year of school leadership with prowess and confidence. The School Captains, Reid Ogden and Alice Pini are two confident and capable leaders, and are joined with School Vice Captains Holly Perrin and Nathan Richards. School Principal Mr Don McDermid said he looked forward to seeing all students thrive and reach th
Read more
The revitalised Whitsunday Writers Festival has announced their Whitsundays Literary Heart Awards this week, just in time for Valentine’s Day. With substantial cash prizes up for grabs, the awards will recognise and honour the diverse and talent writers, while paying homage to the beautiful Great Barrier Reef. With categories encompassing writing, poetry, and book cover design, the Whitsunday Literary Heart Awards is offering up to $10,000 in prizes across four categories, with finalists in ea
Read more
Introducing KC’s Bourbon Bar, exclusive and enigmatic and perfect for the locals and visitors. With a slight restructure to keep locals on their toes, this imaginative Bourbon Bar will take front and centre stage of KC’s Bar and Grill restaurant, in the encompassing warmth of the main dining room. The only bourbon bar in the Whitsundays, KC’s is taking Airlie Beach by storm, adding a layer of rich and aromatic flavours to the KC’s menu. And the grand opening will be a sight to behold, with the
Read more
Up-and-coming musician Tiffany Grace has returned from renowned Tamworth Country Music Festival Country Music Academy, extending and progressing her own skills as a solo musician, songwriting and performing. Having launched onto the stage in recent years, Tiffany has seen great success, from winning the Young Whitsunday’s Got Talent in 2022, to performing alongside other musicians at the 2023 Whitsunday Songwriter’s Festival and being a headliner for the Airlie Beach Festival of Music. Tiffany’
Read more
This is an explosive mix that tastes so sweet with the delectable flavours of a margarita, and The Mad Mariachi Band which are sure to bring the heat! Created in the heart of tropical Queensland, and intensely packed with the flair and beats of traditional Mexican Mariachi music, this show offers more than a dash of contemporary rhythms. From the creative imagination of Nelson Mansilla, The Mad Mariachi Band is best described as a “spaghetti-western Mexican music”. “We’re non-traditional,” N
Read more
Photo credit: Bronte Hodge and Ruby Gorlick
Read more
For the past 35 years, people have been travelling to Bowen for the town's annual polocrosse carnival. Polocrosse is a horsemanship sport that is a combination of polo and lacrosse and has been played in Australia since the 1930's. The annual Bowen carnival will be held on July 27 and 28, 2024. Representatives of the Bowen Polocrosse Club met with representatives of Bowen Tourism and Business this week to discuss the promotion of the 35th annual carnival. Chair of Bowen Tourism and Business,
Read more
32 new Australian citizens have been welcomed in an official citizenship ceremony conducted by the Whitsunday Regional Council, at a special ceremony in Bowen earlier this week. The 32 individuals, from 13 different countries were invited to the ceremony, held at Bowen’s Flagstaff Hill Function and Convention Centre on Tuesday, February 13. “We meet today to acknowledge the individuals who are officially being Australian,” explained Deputy Mayor Gary Simpson. “Australians have a unique nati
Read more
1 in 3 People Will Get Cancer Early Detection Is Best Know Your Normal
Read more
Over the last month we have been working with Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) and the Department of Tourism and Sport on marketing campaigns to help the region recover the losses sustained in early December and late January from tropical Cyclones Jasper and Kirrily. There are several campaigns already underway or finished, including; 50 per cent off deals with Bonza that finished on 14 February, deals were available on Whitsunday Coast to Newcastle, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast routes. A
Read more
What started as a simple gathering in 2014, to bolster the relationship between the Bowen Cricket Associations’ wives, girlfriends, and mums, while raising important funds for the McGrath Foundation, has grown exponentially in 10 short years. Bowen Cricket’s Pink Stumps Day has become a much-loved feature on the Bowen community calendar, an event that is widely known and regularly sees over 300 ladies attend, dressed in their best pink outfits to support the worthwhile breast cancer charity. In
Read more
For Karen Linich and Denise McCallum, becoming a McGrath Breast Care Nurse was an honour and a privilege, a decision that has allowed them to assist and support all breast cancer patients with quality care and upmost confidence. Karen started her nursing journey at the age of 18, beginning her training in New South Wales, before she specialised in surgical nursing. She transitioned to clinical nursing and nurse counselling, primarily working within regional BreastScreen, where she excelled in t
Read more
Next Stars Sport Academy has returned for 2024 with a range of exciting new programs and an enthusiastic turnout of participants, revelling in the joy of staying active and healthy. Founder and Head Coach, Tim Oberg, expressed his delight, stating, "We were blown away by the levels of enthusiasm and participation across all of our programs. “From Ninja to basketball and our running squads, all have seen record attendances which shows just how many families in the Whitsundays are focused on help
Read more
Bowen’s Port Denison Sailing Club had its first 2024 race and training session on Sunday the 11th of February, with sailors of all ages gathering together on the water. Making the most of the extreme high tide, the Green Fleet junior sailors had a practise session, sailing a long leg from the clubrooms on the Bowen foreshore towards the Big Mango and homeward again. Georgia Jeffrey, age 7, recently graduated from the beginner learn to sail programme run at PDSC and is enjoying sailing indepen
Read more
23 Cannonvale Cannons travelled to Brisbane to compete at the Queensland Sprint Championships on the weekend. This was the highest number of Cannons that have ever competed at a state competition. The coaches, Ken Crittenden, and Mark Erickson were very proud of all the Cannons and their achievements. It was the first state championship for many of the young Cannons and they all performed extremely well. The coaches would like to thank all the parents for supporting the swimmers and the team at
Read more.jpg)
Mark Richards won the Tuesday stableford with 41 points, one ahead of Scott Mason. Lyn Muller had 35 points to beat Tina Badenhorst by one. Pins went to Gerard Lovell, Kev Cooper, Diane Chard and Tina Badenhorst. The PDLAW Wednesday monthly medal winner was Penny Wardroper over Pam Harrison, both with 72 net. Pins went to Jacqueline Wall, Rehab Hull and two to Penny Wardroper. Following several days of the back nine holes under the lagoon, a big clean up allowed the full course to be open fo
Read more
The slightly cooler weather bought out more players with 19 WGC competitors in the single Stableford competition. LADIES A GRADE : Winner: Tiina Randmae with 37 points Runner-up: Anna Winterbourn LADIES B GRADE : Winner: Jo Moynihan with 26 points Runner-up: Pam Casey MEN’S A GRADE : Winner: Jason Bourke with 35 points Runner-up: Darren Reynolds MEN’S B GRADE Winner: Paul Nicol with 39 points Runner-up: Scotty Vlismas LONGEST DRIVES : Ladies’ A: Tiina Randmae Ladies’ B: Sally Little Me
Read more