Issue #

On The Beat

Concert And Conversation At Whitsundays Songwriters Festival

With less than a week to go until the second annual Whitsundays Songwriters Festival and Residency kicks-off, organisers are excited to not only bring together a stellar line-up of legendary musicians for their mentorship program, but also to showcase a host of amazing talent at an intimate concert on Saturday evening.

Experiencing Industry In VR With Bowen Gumlu Growers Association

The Bowen Gumlu Growers Association has been making waves, delivering the ‘New Realities in Agriculture and Aquaculture Project’ to the region’s young people, though a virtual reality project.Participating students were taken through the common misconceptions surrounding the industry and shown the diverse and varied roles that are available for young people.

Schools Take Action For Reef Conservation

Reef conservation is at the heart of Whitsunday schools, with the Whitsunday Regional Council leading waste minimisation programs across the region. Working as part of the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Reef Community Action Plan (CAP), the council sought to begin reef protection and conservation with the region’s youngest, implanting carbon footprint reducing tactics in schools. Primarily through reduction of food waste in schools, a Waste Education Officer conducted waste bin audits before constructi

Mackay Ladies’ Golden Greens

Social ladies bowls results for August 16, the winning team consisted of Helen Fleming, Bev McDonald and Carmel Bell. Runners up were Sue Roscoe, Jan Comelli, and Doris Dodds. Thursday had three finals played on the rinks at Goosies Sport and Recreation Club with some very exciting and closely contested games. The Under 70’s game was between Hilary Jones-Rowan and Donna Gordon. Both ladies were keen on the green, but Hilary took out the win. The final of the clubs Consistency Competition wa

Family Homes At New Cannon Valley Development

More than 500 residential lots bordered by open space and parkland have just been opened-up and approved for development in Cannon Valley.Gold Coast-based, Alder Developments, have secured this 100-hectare parcel of land at 1405 Shute Harbour Road, Cannon Valley and are looking forward to creating a master planned community “for Whitsunday residents to live in and to raise their families”.

Get Lei’d And Make A Difference With The Tiny Homes Project

Back by popular demand, the third iteration of this lively community fundraiser is returning in October and this time they have extended the party, opening the event up to welcome 500 guests.

A Pop-Up Event For Chamber

The inaugural Pop-Up Chamber event took place at Whitsunday Creatives in Proserpine last week and the relaxed, unstructured morning proved popular with attendees who relished the time to chat, network and share views in a casual environment.

Councillor Column With Mayor Julie Hall

Earlier this month, my fellow Councillors and I attended the Greater Whitsunday Housing Summit in Mackay. The summit is a much-needed collaboration between the Mackay, Whitsunday, and Isaac regions to discuss gaps in our current housing system.We came away with a multitude of learnings and information from the event which we will now use to prepare a local housing action plan to address local issues specific to our diverse industries and housing needs.

Did you know? With Mayor Julie Hall

We have a several different construction crews within Council, all extremely versatile and capable! Our grader teams work hard to repair and maintain our rural road network whilst our maintenance crews work on our major roads to patch up potholes, undertake drainage repairs, conduct line marking, install road signs, and carry out minor concrete repairs.

Welcome To The Whitsundays Visitor Information Centre

Whether visiting the Whitsundays for a holiday or a long-time local, the Whitsundays Visitor Information Centre is a great place to head if you are seeking inspiration and knowledge. For Dea Huvonen, the Business Development Manager who is at the helm of the Centre, it is a great community asset, one that she is proud to be involved with. Alongside her six eager volunteers, Dea always greets every visitor to the centre, sharing knowledge, making recommendations, and ensuring guests have the best

Celebrating 60 Years Of Bowen History

The Bowen Historical Society and Museum is turning 60 and wants everyone to join in on the celebration!An idea of three Bowen local men, the Bowen Historical Society and Museum now acts as a beacon for locals and visitors alike, to learn and engage with Bowen’s bountiful history.

Keeping Bowen Dressed To The Nines

Now is the time to invest in a new wardrobe with Wendy Bickhoff and her team at Coral’s City 2 Country. Stocking everything from the perfect frock for race day to your jeans, boots, and hat for hitting the paddock, you are spoiled for choice.

Discover Your New Favourite Menu Item

If you haven’t been to the Grand View Hotel this week you haven’t been to the Grand View Hotel at all, with a new menu hitting the kitchen and dining room tables. Completely turning your basic pub feed on its head, the Grand View Hotel is offering premium upmarket meals at fantastic prices, a move which is intriguing and exciting patrons with exotic touches on classic meals.

Training The Next Generation

St Catherine’s Catholic College Year 10 student, Ivan Poljakavoic has recently completed an entire week of work experience, working with the Whitsunday Regional Council Bowen Office. Primarily working in the Information Technology Department of Council, Ivan was given a fantastic opportunity to experience technical computer engineering and data base collection.

Are you ready for a recession?

If Australia goes into a recession over the next twelve months, how prepared is your family? How will it affect your job or business? How will it affect your super or pension?

Leveraging Language

Please stop talking! Whether it was a live presentation, a speech, a video clip, or even a TV show, most of us have sat through an experience where we just want the speaker to use less words or stop and pause.

The New Rides In Town

The Bowen brand of Bowen Mazda has seen an upgrade, taking on the moniker Whitsunday Auto Group, and increasing their on-floor fleet. However, this family owned and operated business has journeyed through many a business model, starting out as Crossley Holden, before succinctly moving into the name of Bowen Mazda in 2017.

Adrenaline Junkies Get Ready

The high thrills and exciting spills of Dittmann Bucking Bulls is back for 2023 and promising to be a PBR not to miss. Already a massive event on the PBR calendar, Dittmann Bucking Bulls and Bull Pit is known for having a fantastic display of human strength against these massive animals, to the sound of loud cries and even louder applause.

Matilda Jr The Musical At Cannonvale State School

Our ever-ambitious local state school is taking on, not only one of the best children’s books ever written but also one of the best musicals in the world, with its upcoming adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda. This classic children’s story was given an edgier, modern reincarnation when it was transformed into the multi-award-winning stage performance written by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin.

The Biggest Don Yet

Motor cross and endurance drivers get ready, the Don River Dash is upcoming and set to be one of the biggest years for the event. Still in its infancy, the event has seen an unprecedented explosion in its popularity, with hundreds of keen competitors flocking to Bowen for the exciting competition. “You see all sorts of different classes, different machines, with different engine capacities,” explained Wanita Sparr, Don River Dash Event Secretary.

FORGOTTEN NAMES OF THE WHITSUNDAYS.

Born in Melbourne in 1903 (hence his name), Mel Ward was the son of Hugh J. Ward, a well-known American theatrical entrepreneur of the early 1900s. This led to Mel’s taking to the stage early in his life as an acrobatic dancer, musician and comedian. However, he soon tired of that life and in the 1920s retired from the stage to pursue his hobby and obsession, marine zoology; a field in which he became an internationally acknowledged expert and an honorary lecturer to the Australian Museum in Syd

‘Working Class Man’ Is Soul Chisel

Airlie Beach get ready; a superstar is coming to town. Well, one of the best looking and most lifelike resemblances of Jimmy Barnes, Soul Chisel is taking up residence on the Airlie Beach Hotel stage for a weekend of power. Saturday September 2 and Sunday September 3, from 2 to 5.30pm, the Airlie Beach Hotel will be the place to be.

Aussie Rockers In Bowen

ece of Aussie music history will have a ‘Rendezvous’ at the Grand View Hotel for one night only of rock and roll!Iconic Aussie pub-rockers, the Choirboys are prepared to give a show like no other, treating local audiences to their massive hits that took Australia by storm back in the 1980s.With a massive discography of 13 albums, and 15 singles, no chart-topping hit will be missed.

Get Keen For Colour Community Colour Fun Run

The community colour fun run is back for 2023, with Whitsunday Counselling and Support gearing up for a bigger event than ever. Ready with a jumping castle, bubbles, face painting, sausage sizzle, raffles, prizes, and of course the coveted colour fun run, this absolutely free event will see smiles and laughter from everyone who attends.