Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Mackay Cycles XCO Series 2 Delivers Mackay’s mountain biking community turned up the gears for the Mackay Cycles XCO Series 2, with riders of all ages battling tough trails and clocking impressive times. The event, held on September 13, saw fast racing, strong finishes, and plenty of local pride across every grade. In the E-Bike categories, Zac Schwarzrock dominated the men’s field, completing five laps in 1:30:45, while Mel Maddison-Stanton powered to victory in the women’s race. The hotly co
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Mackay Table Tennis Fixture Results 9th September 2025 Evening Fixtures Division 1 – Fish (Mick Ruhl, Steven Whiting, Jacob Whelan) defeated Bears (Lily Boland, Lee Brake, Josh Brown) 9-2. Josh coming back from 2 sets down to beat Mick 11-6 in tight 5 sets. Birds (Emma Widdup, Geoff Denman, Trent Day) defeated Ants (Barry Patterson, Vince Boeske, Robbie Richards) 8-3. Geoff having a massive 5 sets with Vince, coming out on top 11-9. Division 2 – Cats (Duncan Treloar, Graham Brake, Will VanDaK
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Mackay Teams Shine In Open And Unders & Overs Events BRIDGE Two team events were played last week. The Mackay Open Team and the Unders and Overs Team Events. Ten teams of four players competed in a full day competition in the Open Team event for Red Points. Winners were the Brown Team - Frances Brown, Alan Brown, Janet Hansen and Diane Morgan only lost one game for the event. The Under and Overs Team event is an opportunity for Novices to play with more experienced players in a team competitio
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By Amanda Wright The CiteCon Kingfishers soared to their second Porters Mitre 10 T20 Smash title on Saturday night, defeating the Gibbs Air & Refrigeration Crocs in a thrilling Grand Final at Great Barrier Reef Arena. Led by captain Sam Vassallo, who won the toss and chose to bat first, the Kingfishers set the tone early in front of a lively crowd and online audience tuning into the Mackay Cricket Association’s livestream. The highly anticipated clash had been billed as a battle between the Kin
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TWO $2 MILLION LOTTO TICKETS SOLD IN THE WHITSUNDAYS IN ONE WEEK! Two life-changing Lotto tickets were sold in the Whitsundays within just seven days of each other. Hickmott's Supa News in Bowen sold a $2.5 million winning ticket on Saturday, 6 September, and News Whitsundays at Whitsunday Plaza in Cannonvale sold a $2 million winning ticket on Saturday, 12 September. Read more on page 3. **Lucky Locals Scoop Millions The Whitsundays is buzzing with excitement this week following the an
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Hi everyone, I hope you’ve all had a great week. Last Friday we sent our latest editions of Core and Tripping to print. The build-up is always exciting but stressful, and the following week the whole office feels the relief—it’s nice to catch a breath before diving into the next edition. From Monday, Core and Tripping will be hitting stands around town. This edition of Core was an especially exciting one for me. As Rachael mentioned in a previous editor’s note, I had the chance to interv
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The Whitsunday Lions Club have once again shown their commitment to the community, raising more than $12,000 at their annual fourth Charity Golf Day, hosted by Whitsunday Green. The funds have been donated to the Proserpine Hospital and the Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network (WSPN). The Proserpine Hospital announced that with the donation they will be purchasing a Patient Transfer Scale, a large board for transporting patients with an integrated weighing scale and a size chart. They al
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On Monday 15 September, 24 people took the pledge and the next step to become Australian Citizens. Held at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre (PEC) with Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins, Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox, Whitsunday Regional Council Councillor Clay Bauman, and Uncle Leo Gabey present on the day. Mayor Collins welcomed the new citizens, sharing what it means to be Australian and affirming that they are now part of this vibrant and enriching culture. "Austra
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Coffee, Connections & Conversations Last Friday Whitsunday Chamber and Porters Mitre 10 Whitsunday hosted a Pop Ip event and it was a morning was full of energy, conversation, and community spirit, with more than 30 local business operators and community members dropping by. Guests enjoyed the StarFM live broadcast, plenty of giveaways, a tasty BBQ brekkie courtesy of Keith, and perfectly brewed coffee from McMoon Coffee Caravan. It was a fantastic opportunity to catch up with familiar faces, m
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A Fresh Take on a Local Tradition The Bowen Fishing Classic is back for another year, offering a modern twist on a beloved local tradition. With over 30 years of history, this year’s event is reimagined to bring a fresh and exciting experience for both locals and visitors. Organiser Lukas Adam, who moved to Bowen four years ago, has worked hard to modernise this year's event. “All the traditional elements you know and love, but with a fresh, reimagined twist to give the fishing classic a modern
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Just after 7am on Monday 15th September, the BMA CQ Rescue Helicopter was called to a multi-vehicle crash near Bowen, outside a service station between Proserpine and Bowen. With several people injured, the rescue helicopter landed on the Bruce Highway so the medical team could provide urgent treatment. Emergency services worked together at the scene to deliver the best possible care. Two patients required specialist treatment in Townsville. The aircraft was quickly reconfigured to transport b
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The Collinsville community is in mourning following a tragic car crash near Springlands on Wednesday, 10th September, which claimed the lives of a beloved husband and wife. Emergency services responded to a two-vehicle collision on Peter Delemothe Road, located between Strathalbyn and Strathmore Roads, around 12.30pm. Investigations suggest that a silver Mazda 2, travelling west, collided head-on with a white Toyota Hilux coming in the opposite direction. Sadly, 63-year-old Glenville Drinkwate
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Stronger Homes Grant Earlier this year, many parts of North and Far North Queensland were hit hard by flooding. While the Whitsundays was fortunate not to experience widespread damage, it was still a challenging time for our region. Families here watched the impacts unfold across the north, some of our residents were directly affected, and the uncertainty around weather events weighed heavily on our community. That is why I welcome the Queensland Government’s recent announcement of the Stronge
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This week marks the final chapter for the community newspaper Whitsunday News, which has been part of the region since its inception in 2020. After shifting to an online-only format in 2024, the publication has now announced it will officially close its doors. Editor and founder Deborah Friend has been the driving force behind Whitsunday News since day one. In a touching gesture, Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm recently surprised Ms Friend with a gift basket and a certificate of appreciation.
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Since rolling into town in June, Skyline Attractions’ Ferris Wheel has quickly become part of the Airlie Beach experience. Standing 35 metres tall, it’s given locals and visitors the chance to take in sweeping 360° views of The Whitsundays, from the sparkling Coral Sea to the bustle of the foreshore and some stunning sunsets. More than 40,000 people have already hopped on board, and the Wheel has even played host to a bit of romance, with 17 proposals happening high above the sea (that we know
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The school holidays are about to get seriously fun at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre! From the laugh-out-loud kid’s circus adventure ‘The Farmy Farm’ to big-screen new release cinema including The Smurfs, Bad Guys 2, Kangaroo and Gabby’s Dollhouse, there’s something for every mini movie buff or theatre lover! Don’t miss out, check out the What’s On page on the Proserpine Entertainment Centre website and grab your tickets today!
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It has been a term like no other for St Catherine’s Catholic College with students, staff, families, and alumni coming together to mark a century of Catholic education in the region. The College’s Centenary celebrations were the highlight of the term, drawing hundreds of people back to the school grounds to reminisce, reconnect, and celebrate the community that has flourished over the past 100 years. From moving liturgies to joyful reunions, the celebrations captured the proud history of the Co
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A vibrant showcase of dance, music and storytelling lit up the stage at Bowen State High School’s inaugural Multicultural Evening, where students, teachers and community members came together to celebrate cultural heritage and unity. Year 10 student Seinimilli Mau was credited as the driving force behind the evening, with her passion and leadership shining through every detail of the program. Guest compere Joe Mau, a Year 12 student from Burdekin Christian College, kept the evening flowing wit
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Two of the early pioneers in tourism in the Whitsunday region. It could be said that Leen and Bill Wallace from Coral Art on Dent Island fitted easily into the category of alternate life-stylers; individuals who had chosen a lifestyle that was perceived to be alternative and/or individuals who had chosen to drop out of society and live on islands or the coastal fringes of Queensland. From 1955 – 1961, they were caretakers of the lease owned by Jack O’Hara who, after his death, left it to his fa
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Hi Everyone, I had a fantastic weekend diving, which sparked my curiosity about fish identification, so I started looking for resources to learn more! I also thought this would also be a great opportunity to share with readers, so you can better recognise the incredible fish species right here in our backyard. Start by exploring the Whitsunday Conservation Council’s excellent guide on the Great Barrier Reef’s protected species, then read on for tips on how you can begin identifying them yourse
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Home to Many Protected Species The Great Barrier Reef is home to a stunning array of animals, from microscopic plankton to whales weighing more than 100 tonnes. If you are counting, you will find 1625 species of fish, more than a thousand species of hard and soft corals, 3000 plus species of molluscs (shells) and a mere 630 species of echinoderm (starfish, sea urchins). And the list goes on. These are well known facts. But what you may not know is that the Reef is home to a very large number of
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The Great Barrier Reef is home to more than 1,500 species of fish, making it one of the most diverse marine ecosystems on the planet. While it may seem overwhelming, there are a few simple ways to start identifying the fish you spot while snorkelling or diving. Look at size and shape. Small, slender fish darting in and out of corals are often damselfish or gobies, while larger, bulky species like groupers and cod move more slowly and are easier to approach. Long, beak-like mouths suggest specie
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Local Artist Shines at the Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition Creative Connections Whitsundays is proud to celebrate member Brigitte Peel, whose artwork Unity Comes from the Moon & the Sea captivated audiences at the recent Great Barrier Reef Festival Art Exhibition. The piece won both the Bendigo Community Bank People’s Choice Award and the Reef Theme Award, recognition Brigitte says is deeply meaningful. "I felt privileged that the community voted for my artwork," Brigitte shared. "It
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Friday 19 September Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Grand View Hotel: Ash Smith (from 8pm) KC's: Corey Harris (from 8pm) Saturday 20 September Airlie Beach Hotel: INXS Tribute (2pm – 5.30pm) Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Grand View Hotel: DJ Night (from 8pm) Coral Sea Marina Resort: Disco Dave (1pm - 5pm) KC's: Shaun Diver (from 8pm) Sunday 21 September Airlie Beach Hotel: INXS Tribute (2pm – 5.30pm) Airlie Beach Hotel: Nick De Gregorio (6.30pm – 9.30pm) Grand Vie
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September 20 & 21 Paul Bowman Challenge, Proserpine Junior Sporting Complex, from 7.30am 21 Bowen Community Markets, Hansen Park, from 8:00am 23 Sailing For Those With Disability, Whitsunday Sailing Club, from 9am 26 Shrek followed by Shrek 2, The Movie Screen at Airlie Beach Foreshore in Coconut Grove, 6:00pm 28 Bowen Community Markets, Hansen Park, from 8:00am 28 Proserpine Community Autumn Markets, Proserpine State School Cyclone Shelter on Sherry Street, from 8:30am 30 Social Seniors
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