Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The unmistakable sound of AC/DC will once again thunder through the Airlie Beach Hotel when long-running tribute act takes the stage for a high-energy afternoon of rock and roll. The Sydney-based band has been performing its AC/DC tribute show for 20 years, bringing classic anthems to audiences across Australia. For frontman Michael Ward, the love of music is simply “in his DNA.” “I’m 55 now and I’ve been doing it since I was 12 years old, in various bands and multiple bands at one time too!”
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Daisy is an 18-month-old Kelpie-cross with a gentle soul and a heart full of hope. Life hasn’t been easy for her, and she can be shy when meeting new people, but with patience and kindness, Daisy blossoms into a loving and loyal companion. She is already desexed and vaccinated, and at a medium size, she’s a great fit for most homes—playful enough for outdoor adventures but easy to manage day to day. Daisy is particularly sensitive to loud noises and busy environments, so she’s looking for a cal
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On Friday evening the Whitsunday Sailing Club hosted the Whitsundays Writers Festival annual event and competition, Love Letter to Queensland. The evening began with Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor opening the event and announcing the Love Letter to Queensland Community writing competition. The Adult Section prize was awarded to Delila Bevan Zavadsky of Brinsmead, near Cairns, for her work title ‘Confessions to Queensland’. She received a two-night ocean view stay with transfers at Daydream
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Saturday afternoon saw the Whitsunday Sea Eagles hold their 2025 Presentation Day, celebrating another exciting year on the field. In 2025, all five Sea Eagles teams competed in Elimination Finals, narrowly missing out on progressing further after some thrilling matches. Individual accolades were a highlight, with Jake Turner (Senior Men) and Steph Griffiths (Senior Women) taking out Best & Fairest medals at the AFLQ Mackay League Awards. Aidan Allen-Fancke also earned Senior Men’s runner-up, a
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The weather was less than ideal on Sunday, 14 September 2025, for the second round of the Mackay Whitsunday Junior Cricket competition. The blustery conditions didn’t rattle the Under 12 Pitbulls as they faced North Mackay Devils. Skipper L. Aitken won the bat flip and sent the Devils in. The Pitbulls’ bowlers were on target, with R. Clarke shattering the stumps for the first breakthrough. F. Holscher grabbed two (including a sharp caught-and-bowled), while L. Aitken and N. Aitken took four bet
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Mission Beach, QLD — Twelve determined paddlers from Outrigger Whitsunday put their strength and skills to the test last weekend, competing in the Mission Beach Outrigger Canoe Regatta under challenging conditions. Saturday saw crews racing in sprint and mid-distance events, with teams well-prepared for the demanding 9.5 km courses. However, Sunday’s 24 km iron event proved the ultimate test, as strong winds and a heavy surf break pushed crews to their limits. Outrigger Whitsunday fielded two
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The Cannonvale Cannons kicked off their long course season over the weekend, with 18 swimmers competing at the 2025 Townsville Tourist Benchmark Transition Meet at the Tobruk Pool. This event marked the start of the long course season for our senior swimmers, who are now focused on achieving their goals at the Queensland Long Course Championships in Brisbane from December 13–19. Special congratulations go to the five senior swimmers who achieved qualifying times over the weekend, putting them o
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With only two weeks remaining in this season’s Premier League Championship campaign, all eyes turned to the four remaining players contesting the preliminary finals. In the first matchup, Kam Reason had the chance to book his place in next week’s grand final, but to do so he needed to overcome this season’s league winner, Jamie Maher. It was a tense affair, with Jamie holding a narrow 3–2 lead at the first break. He extended that margin to 6–2 after the interval, but Kam fought back strongly t
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With most of our visitors gone, it was a quieter week on the green. On Tuesday afternoon, the winners on Rink 3 were Merle Ephinstone, Shirley Jones, and Joe Paynting, who defeated Jenny Anderson, Shirley Smith, and Gavin Charles. Other results saw Tom, Deb, and Laurie defeating Grant, Irene, and Russell, while Lindy, Nick, and Graham overcame Cliff, Gordon, and Natalie. The jackpot didn’t go off. Sunday’s social play was won by Lindy, Suann, Isobel Wheeler, and Penny Warren, who defeated Jun
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The days are getting longer and warmer—and so is the standard of bowls at our club. On Tuesday, 27 players took to the greens. Despite battling pain while awaiting surgery, Elaine Kippen gave it her best before being replaced by organiser Regina Aquilina. The day’s top team was skippered by Gary Scott from Hideaway Bay, with left-hander Greg Fennell and Peter Jordan from Hallshead Bowling and Recreation Club, Mandurah WA. Wednesday afternoon’s social bowls ended in a tie, but on countback the
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A strong field of 42 players—16 ladies and 26 men—turned out for Tuesday’s stableford competition, enjoying much kinder conditions after the gusty weather of the weekend had eased. The day saw a standout performance from Allison McCarthy, who claimed top spot on the ladies’ leaderboard for the very first time with a score of 39 points. It was a terrific achievement and one that many hope will be the first of many. In the men’s competition, David Woods edged out Laurie Daiken and John Oates on
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R U OK? Day was marked across the Whitsundays on Thursday with two community events encouraging meaningful conversations and mental health awareness. In Cannonvale, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre and Whitsunday Suicide Prevention Network (WSPN) hosted a morning tea at 9am at Cannonvale Beach, followed by a community walk to Shingley Beach — creating space for connection between friends, families and even strangers. Meanwhile, the Bowen Community Centre brought locals together with its own
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Hi Everyone, Mental health is something that’s always been close to my heart, ever since I watched my best mate from school go through depression after a traumatic divorce. I remember being on the phone with him, trying so hard to help. I was throwing out suggestions — fresh air, long walks, joining a club, thinking positive. I thought depression needed action. Solutions. A mindset shift. And while those things can help, I was totally thrown when he got short with me. Frustrated. Distant. Th
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The Whitsundays Chamber of Commerce and Industry is stepping into a new role as manager of the Airlie Beach Cruise Ship Markets, ensuring this much-loved event continues to thrive for stallholders, local businesses, community groups, and visiting passengers. Commencing this month, the Chamber will oversee market operations with a clear commitment: to continue delivering a market that feels welcoming to cruise ship guests while being supportive of local stallholders. Chamber President Allan Mil
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Justin Stokes believes rough weather may have saved his life on August 3. The 70-year-old Bowen retiree was about 50km offshore in a 26-foot boat with his son and a mate when he began feeling light-headed and unwell. “We were already headed back to shore because of the weather and I wasn’t feeling great when the boat began taking on water; the bilge pump couldn’t keep up as the waves were coming over the front,” Justin said. “My son and his mate had to start bailing. It was all a bit stressful
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Whether they’re avoiding a pod of whales, traversing a shallow reef, or giving a racing yacht wide berth, the crew of VMR Whitsunday are well practiced at changing course to ensure they reach their destination swiftly and safely. Today, the experienced volunteer crew set a new course, joining Marine Rescue Queensland as the service’s eighteenth unit. MRQ Whitsunday Unit Commander Shane Newell said that the unit had taken their transition very much in their stride and were looking forward to a n
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The Whitsunday community has once again shown its generosity, with this year’s Mayor’s Charity Ball raising an impressive $90,000 for local organisations. At a cheque handover ceremony, Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins thanked sponsors, supporters, and attendees for helping make the annual event such a success. Funds from the evening went to BMA CQ Rescue, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, and the Bowen Community Centre, three organisations that play vital roles in providing eme
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Recently we have seen a small amount of attempted stealing offences where people have walked into people’s property, tried car doors, doors on houses and walked through veranda areas. No significant property has been stolen but it raises an important topic. Today, more than ever, the importance of knowing your neighbours often gets overlooked. However, creating strong connections with those who live around us fosters a sense of belonging, strengthens community ties, and crucially, helps keep eve
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From my very first day as Mayor, my approach has been that regional Councils are strongest when we work together across all levels of government, alongside industry, and most importantly, with our community. Last week in Canberra, that spirit of partnership was on full display. Over three days, the Greater Whitsunday Council of Mayors, Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson, Isaac Mayor Kelly Vea Vea and I, joined with our economic and industry partners to speak with a united voice for our region. Toget
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Whitsunday residents and visitors are being urged to check their Saturday Gold Lotto tickets, with a mystery player yet to claim a $2.5 million prize from the weekend’s draw. The unregistered ticket was purchased at Hickmott’s Supa News in Bowen for Saturday Gold Lotto draw 4605 on 6 September 2025. The winning entry was one of eight division one winners nationally, each scoring $2.5 million. So far this year, the Mackay and Whitsundays region has celebrated six major lottery wins, worth more
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Monday 8 September 2025: The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) has today unveiled its new Strategic Plan 2025–2028 and Advocacy Plan 2025–26, charting a bold path to strengthen Queensland’s visitor economy in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032 and beyond. The plans are especially significant for regions such as the Whitsundays, which rely heavily on tourism and are preparing for increased visitor numbers in the coming years. QTIC CEO Natassia Wheeler said the plans demonstrate QTIC’s role as
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Orange Sky Australia is bringing its life-changing laundry service to the Whitsundays, aiming to support locals who are doing it tough. The not-for-profit has secured a location and the necessary resources for the region, but the launch is dependent on securing enough local volunteers to join the team. The need is clear. The Orange Sky service in Mackay, established in 2017, has struggled to keep up with demand due to critically low volunteer numbers. With rising living costs and growing social
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Tec-NQ House Year 10 boarder Brad is already getting his hands on the tools. He has secured assistant boiler maker work with a local business near home, not far from Clermont. “This is my first year at Tec-NQ House,” said Brad. “I’m in Year 10, and so far I’m liking it.” The move to boarding has been made easier by new friendships. “I have made a few mates, so that’s good,” he commented. Term breaks will be busy. When he is not on the job learning the basics of boiler making, Brad will be back
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Sugar Growing Pioneer in the Cannon Valley District Henry William Holmes was born 13th April 1873 in Stableford, Wiltshire England. His father, a village blacksmith, died in an accident when William was nine. When eleven, his mother remarried. Henry went to live on a farm where his Holmes’ uncles were tenants, then worked on the railways for several years. Desirous to see the world, at age 18, he applied for assisted passage to Australia, sailing on the "Geelunga" arriving at Bowen in May 1892
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The stage is set for a night of stories, song, and celebration when the Love Letter to Queensland event takes place tonight at the Whitsunday Sailing Club. The special evening, part of the 2025 Whitsundays Writers Festival, will open at 6pm with an official welcome from Mayor Ry Collins. Guests will enjoy drinks and canapés before settling in for an inspiring program of speakers, performers and award presentations. Headlining the event is internationally published, award-winning author Dr Anit
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