Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The Whitsunday Coast Airport is rolling out the red carpet, welcoming visitors from Adelaide to our sunny part of the country, with direct flights offered through Jetstar to start in September. Whitsunday Regional Council Director Commercial Businesses Craig Turner said it was exciting that, after months of negotiations, connectivity from the Heart of the Barossa to the Heart of the Great Barrier Reef would take off in September. “Thanks to this partnership with Jetstar, our Whitsunday residen
Read more
At approximately 10.30pm on Wednesday, January 24, a 37-year-old Grasmere man allegedly crashed his buggy at One Tree Hill on Hamilton Island. The individual sustained minor leg injuries as a result of the buggy flipping over. Police on Hamilton Island, who had been deployed for the current weather event attended the scene and administered first aid to the Grasmere man. Police then conducted a breath test on the man, and he allegedly provided a positive result. He was detained and taken to
Read more
More than a year after the brand-new $4.4 million Ted Cunningham Bridge collapsed following heavy rainfall, Council has finally proposed a way forward to re-build 50 metres of the bridge’s approach which was washed away in the incident. Just before Christmas in 2022, the Ted Cunningham Bridge, which links the townships of Collinsville and Proserpine, was damaged and became impassable when flood waters washed away the easements. At the time locals were very frustrated because they had already v
Read more
Women’s advocate and Councillor, Jan Clifford, was awarded The Order Of Australia (OAM) over the weekend, and the inspiring local leader says she feels “humbled” to receive such recognition. “When I first found out, I could barely talk!” said Ms Clifford. “I was just beside myself – and I am completely humbled, I don’t do it for the recognition or the thanks, I do it because I like helping people.” Informed of her nomination in September, Ms Clifford says she has no idea which of the many gro
Read more
The sailing community is mourning as one of its vibrant personalities sadly passed away just before Christmas, leaving behind her loving husband of 41 years. Annie Judd was a beautiful woman who will be remembered for her engaging character, enthusiasm, and desire to spread love and joy to whomever she met. She met her husband, John, in Port Lincoln four decades ago, the two of them were married in Thailand in 1992 and have been inseparable since. They’ve enjoyed a full and exciting life, tra
Read more
Whitsunday Regional Council have granted preliminary approval to the resort complex proposed for the Port of Airlie. The complex, submitted by Meridien, detailed in their preliminary approval application, has specified 102 units of accommodation, primarily suited for family units, tours groups and sporting teams, with rooms for four or eight occupants in each. Included in the proposed development is also a restaurant with waterfront terrace dining, a dive school and training pool, a bar with wa
Read more
A retirement village and residential subdivision has been seriously proposed to be constructed in Jubilee Pocket, with Whitsunday Regional Council moving to grant approval for an access through-road connecting Erromango Drive and Saint Bees Boulevarde, in preparation for the massive development. The 640-metre-long trunk road is Stage 1 of the proposed works, with the 45-hectare plot of land to be subdivided into 197 residential allotments, and 230 multi-unit accommodation dwellings with a commu
Read more
When Cindy made the big relocation from the Central Coast of New South Wales to the beautiful beachside town of Bowen, she was pleasantly welcomed into town by friendly and accommodating locals. “That’s the first thing that my husband and I noticed,” Cindy explained. “We were walking down the main street and everyone was waving and saying hello to us! It was just so lovely.” Now a member of the Bowen Tourism and Business team, at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre and beside the beloved Big M
Read more
Despite some interesting reporting and forecasting, the Whitsundays is still open for business and has not been blown away or drowned in a rain bomb! In late December we prepared for Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Last week, our focus turned to figuring out and preparing for what eventually became Tropical Cycle Kirrily. The Whitsundays fared well on both occasions, considering what might have been. Both events reinforced the need and importance of staying vigilant, being well-informed, and calmly pr
Read more
What is your role at Tourism Whitsundays? I manage the Whitsundays Visitor Information Centre located at the Whitsunday Gold Coffee Plantation in Proserpine. My focus is to assist travellers to our beautiful region and connect them with the local operators. I am also the go-to person for the fabulous Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors. What is your ideal weekend in The Whitsundays? My ideal weekend is to jump on one of my friends' boats and cruise between the islands while trying to spot dolph
Read more
After 25 years in office, Councillor and Former Mayor Michael Brunker is hanging up his hat and retiring from positions in local government. With a career spanning advocating for massive industrial proposals to vouching for the little man at regular Council Ordinary Meetings, Brunker’s influence and hard work have left an indelible mark on the Whitsundays region. Brunker started his adult career following in his father’s footsteps, working as a diesel fitter with the Collinsville mine. Then,
Read more
The Little Diggers Day Care Centre in Collinsville is now comfortably able to continue its services while awaiting government accreditation thanks to $10,000 worth of funding given by the Whitsunday Regional Council to help with operational costs. The only day care centre in Collinsville is currently waiting for the government tick to be able to process the childcare subsidies that will offer parents on average between 50 and 85 percent off their childcare fees. At the moment, parents are havi
Read more
As students get into the motion of the new school year, the importance of mental health cannot be overstated. The back-to-school season brings not only the excitement of learning but also potential stressors that can impact a student's wellbeing. It's crucial to prioritise mental health, foster resilience in the face of challenges. Here are some essential tips for students navigating the academic landscape: 1. Acknowledge and Normalise Feelings: It's okay to feel a mix of emotions when heading
Read more
International rhythms and global beats flow through this dynamic musical journey, with fantastical connections and otherworldly notes, as the Airlie Beach Hotel hosts the world-class prowess of Nicky Bomba’s Bustamento This six-piece Cadillac of a show is the brain child of none other than Nicky Bomba, known for his eclectic beats spanning genres of artists like Jon Butler Trio and Melbourne Ska Orchestra, and embodying the energy of Caribbean and reggae. Celebrating life, the joyousness of liv
Read more
This Valentine’s Day, experience the difference of the Jubilee Tavern, keeping the kids entertained and the adults indulged, with a menu that caters to every tastebud. Enjoy the salt and pepper calamari, dig into a succulent sirloin steak, or fall in love with the tasty chicken parmy, the team behind Jubilee Tavern have excitedly ventured out of common grounds, with dish variety that continues to excite. In fact, Area Chef Kevin Eldridge own favourite is the unique Mexican parmy, a twist on th
Read more
This Valentine’s Day, let romance and love wash over you with this special evening catered by the dedicated team at Whisper Restaurant and Gin Bar. This bespoke and intimate evening, set to the beautiful backdrop of the pristine Whisper Bay and Coral Sea, speaks to love and romance. When you and your loved one arrive, take a sip from a chilled glass of bubbles, relax at your table and indulge in the sumptuous five course menu, carefully curated by Whisper Restaurant Head Chef Troy Fuller. “We
Read more
Reserve your beautiful blooms early this Valentine’s Day, with this local family business, Karen Hill Floral Design, which will be fully stocked and ready to supply everyone with bespoke and custom floral arrangements and bouquets. With Karen’s roses most popular, this highly-respected local florist recommends getting orders in early to ensure your loved ones receives the flowers they deserve this Valentine’s Day. “My roses are coming from South America, they are very big and beautiful,” Karen
Read more
Share the gift of love and romance with local, handmade gifts, at your fingertips at Whitsunday Creatives. With over 25 small local businesses showcasing their merchandise under one roof, Whitsunday Creatives is located in the heart of Proserpine and is an easy one-stop-shop for all your Valentine’s Day shopping. Why not construct your own romantic hamper, stuffed full of fragrant candles, silky body butters and lotions, delicate earrings and bag charms? You could then complete the loved-up ham
Read more
Being immersed in the water has always been a passion of Jacob Bell, and becoming a senior squad swimmer with the Cannonvale Cannons, he is now welcoming more opportunities to venture into the professional leagues. For Jacob, being a part of the Cannonvale Cannons and having the opportunity to get into the water at any chance is something he thrives upon. “I love challenging myself and conquering my goals,” Jacob explained. “My favourite parts of the sport are competing at carnivals, being
Read more
Taking to the court, the players of Whitsunday Netball Association are eager to kick their 2024 season off with a bang, welcoming new players and returning players to the Whitsunday Sportspark for a season set to be one of the best yet. Since its inception in 1992, the Whitsunday Netball Association (WNA) has a rich history of teaching and developing players skills and techniques, offering competitive support and key opportunities for growth and professional avenues. However, at the core of WN
Read more
This young man takes everything in his stride. He is a member of the Next Stars Sports Academy, Cannonvale Crocodiles, Brahmans, the Whitsunday Raiders and also participates in athletics. For Jack, sport has always been a part of his life, starting with the Airlie Beach Parkrun when he was four years old, and from 2021, he began to play in a range sporting teams. “I started doing the five-km parkrun with my parents when I was four years old,” Jack explained. “At first, we walked it, then st
Read more
Families and individuals from across the region are invited to the ninth annual Sports Expo which is due to be held at the Whitsunday Sportspark this Saturday. With over 40 different stalls expected to be present on the day, organisers are excited to host another vibrant community event where everyone has the opportunity to discover new sporting activities, clubs, and groups. Designed to demonstrate the breadth and depth of community sports and groups in the region, there will be everything fr
Read more
With a vibrant sporting community at its heart, Whitsunday Touch Footy regularly sees over 200 people compete at the Whitsunday Sportspark every week on a Monday during the season. Whether you're a seasoned touch player or a novice eager to learn, the club welcomes everyone with open arms and is known for its diversity of players. One such individual is local mum of two, Aimee Mitchell, who picked up the sport again last year after more than a 10-year hiatus. Aimee played Touch Footy when she
Read more
Mark was a late starter to triathlons tackling his first race at a Bowen Enticer distance event in 2015 when in his early 50’s and was instantly hooked by the multi-sport concept. After his first event eight years ago, Mark embraced the challenge of triathlon quickly and went from being unable to swim a lap of the pool in 2015 to nowadays regularly completing multiple 4km swim sessions every week. He has since completed 6 Half Ironmans, 10 marathons and multiple Olympic Distance and Sprint dis
Read more
To dream the impossible dream, to run where the brave dare do not go, to live the unliveable moment, to reach the unreachable star .... is what happened at our little club this week because we received a million-dollar grant to build a hard cover for our bowls club, largely due to our vice chair lady Karen Jenson, Col Morris, our chairman Ask Warland and others, but the impossible dream came true. How unbelievable is that, and everyone is singing, and watching the Man of Lamancha. Congratulatio
Read more