Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
With our final season at Kucom (Summer Shorts) just finished on 15 November, we’re not quite ready to rest on our laurels, so we’re going to end the year in style with a final, festive Club Night on Friday 28th November – a combined Christmas party and 2026 season launch. The coming year will introduce our audiences to some exciting new directors and local playwrights with a mix of new works and old favourites. Hint: there will be three full-length plays plus a season of one-act plays. T
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Brand-New Outdoor Space Perfect For Family Dining, Live Music & Weekend Sessions Much-loved Mackay local, Boomerang Hotel, unveiled a brand-new beer garden this week, expanding its footprint and creating a fresh new space for locals to eat, drink and connect. The transformation has been designed with Mackay’s warm weather in mind and compliments the bistro, sports bar, gaming room and accommodation - a new area to relax and dine year-round. Offering a welcoming atmosphere, the beer garde
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Let me have a little rant for a moment: these days, it feels like everyone is a marketer. Boost one Facebook post, watch a few YouTube tutorials, finish a quick online course and suddenly people think they’re experts. No strategy. No accountability. Just confidence and Canva. But real marketing is far more than pressing buttons. It’s understanding human behaviour, reading data, building funnels, testing creative, managing budgets, and turning insights into decisions that actually grow a b
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Friday 21st November Crochet & Conversation 9am Drop in for a relaxed morning of crocheting, coffee and conversation with friendly Northern Beaches locals at the Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade. Everyone is welcome—whether you're a seasoned crocheter, a beginner, or just love a good chat over coffee. Bring your own tools or borrow from the communal box. It’s all about connection, creativity, and community. Beachfront Bar & Restaurant on Bucasia Esplanade Conversations With Art
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At The Mackay Woodturners Club Expo This Christmas, why not find gifts that are truly one-of-a-kind? The Mackay Woodturners Club, tucked away at Snow Wright Ct, Andergrove, is opening its doors for a weekend of creativity, craftsmanship, and festive cheer. This weekend, on 22nd and 23rd November, from 9am–3pm, visitors can explore the impressive skills of local artisans working in woodturning, scroll sawing, intarsia, wood burning (pyrography), and carving, with free entry! Woodturning is far
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Meet Maple Breed: Border Collie X Age: Young Adult Personality: Playful, Energetic, Affectionate Vet work: Microchipped, vaccinated and desexed About Maple: Maple is an affectionate girl who loves nothing more than cuddling up on the couch with her favorite people. She’s loyal, loving, and will be your biggest fan! Her ideal home is active and consistent, with plenty of walks, playtime, and enrichment. She’s a bright dog who loves using her nose in fun scent games and would thrive with someone
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Readers with even a basic knowledge of ancient history will know that the Flintstones were a modern stone-age family from the town of Bedrock and that they were a page right out of history. When you were with the Flintstones, you’d have a yabba dabba doo time, a dabba doo time, you’d have a gay old time. A lot has changed since then. These days, if Fred Flintstone and his best mate Barney Rubble were to have a “gay old time” it would mean something completely different and dramatically change t
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Friday, the 7th of November marked a highlight on the Whitsunday Anglican School Junior School calendar, with students, staff and families gathering for the annual End of Year Arts Concert. The showcase featured outstanding performances from the school’s talented choirs and musical ensembles. The event provided younger students with an inspiring glimpse into the many musical opportunities available to them as they progress through the school. It also offered ensembles the chance to perform toge
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It has been an extraordinarily busy and successful month for students and staff at Mackay Christian College, with the school celebrating a wave of sporting achievements across several age groups. From the netball courts to the hockey field and rugby pitches, students have showcased exceptional skill, determination and sportsmanship. Mackenzie Jackson has had a remarkable season, being awarded Most Consistent for the Magpies Netball Club. She was then nominated for Best and Fairest by the Mackay
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It started with a leisurely Sunday morning social swim at Teemburra Dam (near Pinnacle) and built to a crescendo of medals and PB’s (personal bests) at the Masters Swimming Queensland (MSQ) State Championships the following week! It was a sultry early morning at Teemburra Dam where 2 kayakers, a couple of observers and 6 swimmers enjoyed a still water swim to welcome in November, refuelling with breakfast at Melba House. Eight swimmers and one volunteer supporter travelled to Brisbane for the
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Mackay Tri Club Hosts Free Aquathlon For All Ages Kick off your Australia Day with a splash… literally! Mackay Tri Club is inviting the whole community to celebrate fitness, fun, and camaraderie at its free Australia Day Aquathlon on January 26, 2026, at the Pioneer Swim Centre. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete, a weekend warrior, or just looking for a fun way to get active with the family, this event is for you! Supported by Mackay Regional Council and Triple M Mackay and Whitsundays, this A
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At Mackay Contract Bridge Club BRIDGE The CQ Del Ryan Teams Congress, Red Point event, was played over the weekend. Sixteen teams attended from Townsville, Bowen, Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Mackay. The event is named after Del Ryan, who was a long-time player at the bridge club, and now her daughter Janet continues the tradition. Del’s granddaughter Courtney, who is a principal of North Marine in Cairns, is a supporter of the event. Janet’s team came runner-up in Section A. Winners of Section A
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Tuesday Evening Fixtures ** Division 1 – Eagles (Emma Widdup, Syed Aminul Hossain, Josh Brown) defeated Lily (Robbie Richards, Lily Boland, Will VanDeKaa) 8-3, Josh won a tight 5 Sets over Robbie 11-7. Jaguar (Jacob Whelan, Anne Sheridan, Neil Brown) defeated Barra (Barry Patterson, Lee Brake, Andrea Nicholson) 7-4. Barry made a massive come back in 5 Sets against Jacob, with Barry winning 11-9. Gold (Goncalo Serra, Graham Brake, Geoff Denman) defeated Fish (Steven Whiting, Trent Day, Allan A
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Queensland Tourism Awards Shone Bright For Local Operators The Whitsundays shone at the 40th annual Queensland Tourism Awards in Brisbane, taking home an impressive mix of gold, silver, bronze and Hall of Fame honours. The event celebrated four decades of recognising Queensland’s standout tourism operators, with the Whitsundays once again proving why it remains one of the state’s favourite destinations. Local winners included Whitsunday Escape, Shute Harbour Marine Terminal, Pinnacles Resort, I
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Hi Everyone, The past couple of months have been an absolute whirlwind! It feels like every weekend has been filled with events and I am officially running out of different dresses to wear! This weekend is no exception, with the inaugural Whitsunday Business Awards taking place on Friday night. You can read our 13-page Nominees Feature from page 19 in this edition, and we will announce the winners in a special feature next week. I would like to say a massive thank you to the people who have b
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Proserpine State High School has partnered with Whitsunday Regional Council, the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach and its school Parents and Citizen’s Association to deliver a Defensive Driving Course for their Year 11 and 12 students. The valuable practical and theoretical knowledge delivered to students focuses on hazard perception, vehicle handling, and safe decision-making under pressure, skills that are considered essential for reducing risks on the road. Adding a meaningful local connection,
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Proserpine State High School proudly celebrated its 63rd Annual Awards Ceremony on Tuesday night, recognising outstanding student achievement across academia, sport, cultural and leadership categories. The prestigious event is a highlight on the school calendar, bringing together students, families, staff, and community members to honour the hard work, dedication, and success of its young people. The ceremony showcased the school’s commitment to nurturing excellence and personal growth, with aw
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Whitsunday Regional Council is seeking more nominations for the 2026 Australia Day Awards, with the closing date now extended to Thursday, 28th November. The Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals and organisations across the region. Mayor Ry Collins is encouraging everyone to take a moment to nominate someone special. “We all know someone whether they’re a high achiever or a quiet contributor who deserves recognition for making our community stronger, i
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Last Friday a major milestone for the Bowen community was announced with the official opening of the Yaringa Frontline Accommodation Units, a purpose-built housing complex designed to support frontline health, education and aged care professionals. The first of its kind in Queensland, Yaringa consists of four two-bedroom units centrally located in Bowen, providing secure and affordable housing for up to eight essential workers. Each unit includes a shared laundry, kitchen, dining and living spa
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The spirit of giving is alive and well in the Whitsundays, with long-time local community champions Michael and Val Kimpton making a generous $1,000 donation to the Mayor’s Festive Appeal to support families in need this Christmas. Mayor Ry Collins said the contribution reflects the kindness and community pride that defines the Whitsundays. “Michael and Val are wonderful examples of the generosity we see right across our region,” Mayor Collins said. “Their support helps ensure every family ca
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What a night for the Whitsundays at the 2025 Queensland Tourism Awards. Our region once again shone on the state stage, with local operators featuring strongly across multiple categories and bringing home an impressive haul of awards. It was fantastic to see the breadth of talent and passion on display from accommodation providers to adventure operators and our dedicated volunteers. A huge congratulations to our gold medallists Pinnacles Resort & Spa, Whitsunday Escape, and Iconic Whitsunday A
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AGM & New Board Members At the Whitsundays Chamber Of Commerce & Industry Annual General Meeting last Thursday new board members Giulian Grasso and Doug O’Connor were welcomed. President Allan Milostic said Chamber finish in a strong financial position for 2024, reporting solid financial health and significant momentum. Key achievements in 2024 - 2025 included hosting State and Federal election candidate forums, strengthening collaboration with government and regional partners, making six Cou
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Bowen Community Centre recently held its Community Champions Recognition event, a chance to thank the people and organisations who make our town such a special place. Over the past three years, the Centre has delivered 23 free services to the community from chair exercises and playgroups to the soup kitchen, food bank, Second Bite, and cooking classes. These programs are possible because of the champions who gathered with us on 7 December. The truth is, without these heroes we couldn’t do what
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On Saturday, 15 November, Bowen State High School celebrated the sporting achievements of its students for 2025. As the champion house for the year, the mighty Kennedy Roos saw McKenna Hall transformed in shades of blue to mark their victory over the other houses. More than 250 students, staff, and parents enjoyed an evening reflecting on the year’s sporting highlights. Sports recognised on the night included athletics, cross country, swimming, volleyball, AFL, hockey, rugby league and rugby 7s
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Alinta Energy is hosting a community drop-in information session on Wednesday 26 November to share details about the proposed Mt Challenger Wind Farm project and hear local feedback. The session will be held at the Proserpine Tennis Club. The project team will be in attendance between 4pm and 7pm and is encouraging community members to drop by at a time that suits to speak with members of the team. The Mt Challenger Wind Farm project is in the early development phase and is located between Pros
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