This week, from 19 to 25 May 2025, we’re joining the rest of Australia to celebrate National Volunteer Week - the biggest week of the year for recognising volunteers. It’s all about showing how important volunteers are in our communities and hopefully inspiring more people to get involved. Here in The Whitsundays, we’re lucky to have lots of locals who generously give their time to help out and make visitors feel at home. Our Volunteer Cruise Ship Ambassadors and Information Centre Volunteers d
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Sharks eat fish. People eat fish. What happens when shark and people want the same fish? Shark wins and it is called shark depredation (shark partially or completely consume fish caught by fishing gear before fish can be retrieved). Shark depredation is now considered a significant issue in Australian fisheries, including the Great Barrier Reef. For the first time, the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries is researching shark depredation. A series of workshops with the major stak
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By uploading tail fluke photos to the HappyWhale base we have learned some interesting insights to one particular whale. A humpback whale Glen Bradford photographed near Dent Island in the Whitsundays in August 2023, was first identified by Dr Trish Franklin from the Pacific Whale Foundation 35 years ago in Hervey Bay in September 1988. Since the first ID sighting by Dr Trish there has been another 7 sightings. In September 2004 she was photographed in Hervey Bay with a calf for the first tim
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Hi everyone, Welcome to this week’s edition of Ruth2Reef! I hope you enjoy reading about the latest environmental happenings. If you have any stories you’d like to see featured in Ruth2Reef, feel free to email them to me at ruth@lifepublishinggroup.com Happy reading! Ruth
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These two adorable three-month-old female kittens are currently being fostered in Airlie. These playful sisters are a bonded pair and must be adopted together. Full of energy and affection, Winter and Wiley love chasing balls, playing with their toys, and snuggling up together for naps. Their close bond makes them the perfect duo for anyone looking to add double the cuteness and love to their home. If you're ready to welcome these sweethearts into your life, be sure to message Bowen Collinsvil
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Four Whitsunday Sea Eagles teams were back on the road last weekend, travelling to various locations as part of AFL Mackay’s Indigenous Round. The Under 13s braved an early start in their Indigenous guernseys, facing off against the Sarina Demons in tough, muddy conditions. Despite their grit and determination, the Sea Eagles were unable to hold back the Demons in the third quarter, eventually going down 15–34. At Rogers Oval, the Under 15s faced a tough challenge against the Eastern Swans. Un
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Dr Jane De Keyser & Her Daughter Unearth Historic Fossil Discovery In Richmond Over April’s past long weekend, Dr Jane De Keyser and her seven-year-old daughter went for an adventure to Richmond for a fossicking trip in the outback. To Dr Jane De Keyser’s delight and disbelief, the pair unearthed two outstanding discoveries dating back to over 100 million years ago and earning them a rightful place in geological history. “On Easter Sunday, we made a spectacular “Easter Egg” find of one double
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Cruise Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef Festival Needs Your Support The heart of the Whitsundays has begun preparing to celebrate the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef once again, with the Cruise Whitsundays Great Barrier Reef Festival officially launching its 2025 theme, Coral Kingdom. With the 2026 dates set for the weekend extending from the 1st to the 3rd of August, the shores of Airlie Beach will transform into a vibrant underwater fantasy, full of colour, culture and community spirit, howev
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Local Operators Recognised Over 120 local tourism businesses across the region have been recognised in the 2025 Best of Queensland Experience Program (BOQEP) - a record-breaking achievement that highlights The Whitsundays’ reputation as one of Queensland’s most exceptional tourism destinations. The recognised businesses represent the full diversity of the region’s offerings, including accommodation, attractions, food and drink, tours, and transport. This milestone reflects the strong commitment
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A simple act of kindness has captured hearts after local mobile detailer Lucas spotted a classic Citroën 2CV leaving Coles and offered to restore it—free of charge. Moved by memories of the iconic car, Lucas took to social media to track down the owner, writing, "I’m keen to give it a proper clean-up, no charge, just for the love of old gems like this one." The community quickly rallied behind the post, helping connect Lucas with the vehicle’s owner. An appointment was arranged, and before lon
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Friday 23rd May Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Grand View Hotel: Dallas Steele (from 8pm) Saturday 24th May Airlie Beach Hotel: INXS Tribute (2pm – 5.30pm) Airlie Beach Hotel: Andy Mammers (7pm – 10pm) Colonial Palms Motor Inn: Out of Abingdon (from 6pm) Grand View Hotel: Jason Bull (from 8pm) Sunday 25th May Airlie Beach Hotel: INXS Tribute (2pm – 5.30pm) Airlie Beach Hotel: Paul Fergus Morris (6.30 – 9.30pm) Grand View Hotel: Coighty (4pm – 8pm) Thursday 29th May Airlie Beach
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May 25 Bowen Community Markets, Hansen Park, from 8:00am 26 National Sorry Day 27 National Reconciliation Week, May 27th – June 3rd 27 Sailability, Downstairs at the Whitsunday Sailing Club, Volunteers 8:00am-2:00pm & Sailors/Carers 9:00am-1:00pm, Bookings Required 27 Tech Help, Cannonvale Library, 2:00pm-3:45pm 28 Whitsunday Quilters & Hand Crafts Group, Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, 9:00am-1:30pm, $5pp. 31 Whitsunday Cruisin’ Car Club Show & Shine, Coral Sea Marina, 8:00am-11:30
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Football – Whitsunday United FC Friday 23rd May Div 2 vs Sarina Saints 6:00 PM at Brewers Park Div 1 vs Magpies FC 8:00 PM at Brewers Park Saturday, 24 May U13 vs Dolphins FC 9:30 AM at Whitsunday United FC U14 vs Dolphins FC 9:30 AM at Mackay Football Park U13 FQPL vs Mackay Wanderers 11:00 AM at Whitsunday United FC U15/16 vs Mackay Lions 11:15 AM at Mackay Football Park U23 Men vs Mackay Rangers 5:00 PM at Eric Homan Park Men's Firsts vs Mackay Rangers 7:00 PM at Eric Homan Park AFL
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A record $2,500 was raised at this year’s annual Biggest Morning Tea, making it the most successful yet for the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre. The event has long been a highlight in the local calendar, uniting the community in support of the Cancer Council. A new partnership with Club Whitsunday helped elevate this year’s event, with the venue and catering provided free of charge, allowing for a larger turnout than ever before. Rebecca Woods, Executive Officer of the Neighbourhood Centre, e
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National Reconciliation week takes place next week, from the 27 May to the 3 June. It is a time for all Australians to learn about shared histories, cultures and achievements. It is also a time to reflect and explore how we can work together to achieve reconciliation in Australia. The theme this year is Bridging Now to Next - reflecting on the ongoing connection between past, present and future. To mark the week, Council is sponsoring two free community events: Bridging Now to Next: including
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As the world paused on 8 May to mark World Ovarian Cancer Day, the Trudy Crowley Foundation in Mackay continued doing what it does best—raising awareness, offering support, and giving women hope in the face of one of the most insidious diseases they may ever encounter. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest reproductive cancer, claiming the lives of more than half of those diagnosed within five years. It creeps in quietly, often masked by symptoms that mimic more common ailments. There is no rel
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Community organisations across the Mirani Electorate are set to receive a significant boost, with $231,011.65 in total funding awarded through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF). Eight local groups were successful in securing grants to purchase much-needed equipment to enhance their operations and support their members. This latest funding round received more than 2,000 applications across Queensland—the highest number in the GCBF’s 31-year history. Member for Mirani, Glen Kelly MP, sai
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A powerful candle lighting ceremony will take place in Sarina this month, honouring the lives lost to domestic and family violence and uniting the community in a moment of remembrance and resolve. Hosted by the Sarina Neighbourhood Centre, the event will be held on Wednesday, 21 May, from 5.30pm at the Sarina Sporting Services Club, on the corner of Broad Street and Brewers Road. The formal ceremony will begin at 6pm. Open to all, the gathering aims to shine a light—literally and symboli
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Respected barrister Wayne Pennell will become Queensland’s Mining and Resources Coroner, a major step towards giving families closure and answers. The new role delivers on the State Government’s key election commitment to restore a vital justice service for Queensland’s resources sector, ensuring inquests are completed in a timely manner. Mr Pennell will be based in Mackay after spending the first 12 months of his tenure in Brisbane. He served two decades as an officer in the Queensland
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From early ocean dips to ice-cold polar plunges, cold-water immersion is increasingly popular among athletes and wellness warriors. But how much of the hype is backed by science? In the most comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of its kind, University of South Australia researchers have taken a deep dive into the effects of cold-water immersion on health and wellbeing. Analysing data from 11 studies with 3177 participants, researchers found that cold-water immersion may lower stre
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In a major boost for skills development in Central Queensland, leading registered training organisation Civil Safety has unveiled a cutting-edge training facility in Moranbah—signalling a bold investment in the region’s future workforce. Simultaneously, the company has announced a landmark partnership with the Barada Barna Aboriginal Corporation (BBAC), designed to deliver exclusive training and employment pathways for Barada Barna people in a move that merges education with empowerment.
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There were plenty of smiles, hugs, and happy tears at the MECC last Thursday as more than 150 local students graduated from CQUniversity. The 2025 graduation ceremony brought together proud families, friends, and supporters, all eager to cheer on their loved ones as they crossed the stage – marking the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. This year's graduates came from a wide range of fields, including medical sonography, education, psychology, music, nursing, accounting and
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The soft glow of candles inside the Mackay Women’s Service Centre last Wednesday night illuminated more than a room – it cast light on heartache, remembrance, and a community’s unyielding call for change. Held as part of Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month, the annual Candlelight Vigil brought together local residents, survivors, advocates, and community leaders to remember lives lost to domestic and family violence and to reaffirm their commitment to breaking the cycle. “It’s
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Step by step, stride by stride – Aussie kids are walking their way toward a healthier future today. Across the country this morning (Friday, 16 May), thousands of primary school children will lace up their sneakers and hit the pavement for National Walk Safely to School Day – a simple act with powerful potential. Celebrating its 26th year, the national initiative led by the Pedestrian Council of Australia highlights the physical, mental, and environmental benefits of walking, not just on
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Some would describe Dion Loader as a local legend for his recent good deeds — and his latest act of kindness has only added to that reputation. In a recent social media post that resonated across the Mackay community, Dion expressed heartfelt thanks to those who rallied with him to help someone in need. “Huge thankyou to the Mackay Regional Council Libraries for assisting today. But massive thankyou to Renée Fallini for chipping in to collect and purchase this amazing gift for someone sp
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