Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
For the past 20 years Zonta Club of the Whitsundays have offered a substantial annual scholarship to one lucky student from one of the local high-schools. This year the generous scholarship has been named the PJ Halter scholarship in memory of the club’s beloved and very hardworking member who sadly passed in 2022. The scholarship embodies the club's commitment to supporting women who, due to various life circumstances, may not have had the chance for further education earlier in their lives.
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The tragic death toll in our region has sadly risen again this week following a road accident on Sunday evening that claimed the life of a 22-year-old woman. On Sunday 15 September at 5pm a 61-year-old Bowen man was travelling in a silver Rodeo North on the Bruce Highway, and in the initial police investigation, it appears to have veered onto the wrong side of the road. The silver Rodeo collided head on with a black BMW, driven by a 22-year-old female who tragically lost her life as a result t
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By Paul Gellatly The election of the 2024-25 committee for Bowen Chamber of Commerce was backed by presentations highlighting the importance of the Abbot Point coal and industry facility to the town. An audience of around 40 people attended the chamber's September 11 meeting at the Larrikin Hotel to hear the results of the election of office bearers, for which vacancies closed on September 2. Although he jested that he thought his existing term would be his last, popular Larrikin Hotel public
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Bowen has been very busy in the school holidays with the Visitor Information Centre reporting a bumper start to the two-week break. On Monday alone, the staff and volunteers welcomed more than 350 people to the centre. Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said a lot of people were staying in Bowen but there were also a lot of day-trippers from Airlie Beach. “The Big Mango is always an attraction during the school holidays,” she said. “There has also been a lot of families
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A local girl from Proserpine, Matilda Braney, sparkled at Australia’s Royalty pageant (ARP) National Finals that were held in Melbourne earlier this month. Not only has Matilda, obtained numerous beauty titles for her appearance in the ARP, she also has done incredible work in the local community to raise funds for Starlight Children's Foundation. Matilda, alongside her aunty, raised funds for the foundation by selling chocolate in the mines. All proceeds from their sales went directly to th
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It was announced this week that award-winning viral sensation, Jude York will be joining 7-time ARIA award winner Wendy Matthews at the upcoming Whitsundays Songwriters Festival which is due to take place next month. Jude’s song ‘Monaco’ is climbing the international charts with a staggering million streams in its first week and Whitsundays Songwriters Festival organisers say they are thrilled to welcome him to the line-up. “Jude’s clarity of his artistic direction will serve as an inspiration
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In 2024, if your business isn’t on social media yet, you’re potentially missing out on connecting with a lot of possible customers. With almost 80% of Australians active on social media, it’s a great way to quickly and easily connect with your audience and show off what you’re offering. It might feel a bit daunting to get started, but don’t worry—here are some great free tools to help you get started, or to help you elevate what you’re currently doing: • Instagram and Facebook: Must-hav
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For this weeks adventure, Jade and Paige explored one of the local Whitsunday land-based wonders by joining Whitsunday Segway Tours for an unforgettable tour. Expertly guided safely and thoroughly by host, Zak, the mood transitioned quickly from slightly nervous too eager as they stepped on the Segway and adjusted to synchronize with the hi-tech machine. Jade said she was surprised at how quickly she became comfortably at ease with the Segway. Once the journey began, the 9-kilometre round trip
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The inaugural Whitsunday Jobs Fair will be held next month and organisers are looking forward to bringing together job seekers and businesses from across the Whitsundays. Hosted at the Proserpine State High School, this event will bridge the gap between employers and prospective employees, offering a unique platform for recruitment, networking, and career development. With the job market evolving rapidly, the Whitsunday Jobs Fair offers job seekers a valuable opportunity to explore a wide rang
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The Council has announced that repair works on the Wilsons Beach Swimming Enclosure will commence on 23rd September, with completion estimated for late November 2024. The repair work at Wilson Beach has been guided by feedback from concerned community members about the area’s future, following the damage caused by Cyclone Debbie in March 2017, which left the enclosure damaged and non-functional. The repair works, therefore, will enhance safety and once again provide a fantastic swimming spot fo
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Greater Whitsunday Vet Services has been operating as a mobile clinic since 2020 and from their current Bowen clinic since 2021, with the new location in Proserpine expected to open soon. The mobile service ensures everybody from, Glenden to Collinsville, Proserpine, Cannonvale, Bloomsbury, and Calen, can have access to a qualified vet. After successfully operating a clinic in Bowen for three years, owner Jason Mansfield, saw increased demand in the Proserpine and Cannonvale area. In June th
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In 1937, Ivan A Hughes wrote a book entitled “In the Wake of the ‘Cheerio’: The Narrative of a Memorable Cruise in Great Barrier Reef Waters” During a fourteen-day cruise on the “Cheerio” between Bowen and Mackay, Hughes and a group of tourists from Sydney visited most islands of the Whitsunday and Cumberland Groups and enjoyed trips to the outer Barrier Reef. The account of their experiences, of the beauty of the area, and the references to relics of early history is both comprehensive and ente
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Council held their latest Citizenship Ceremony at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre on Tuesday, and I swore in 38 new Australian citizens from 12 different countries. These citizenship ceremonies are always highly emotional occasions as family and friends also attend to witness what is a huge day for every new Australian citizen officially inducted. Tuesday was also National Citizenship Day, and this year was the 75th anniversary of the day which celebrates a momentous occasion that remin
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For a club of 30 members, Bowen sure does put on a great show. On 31st August and 1st September, Bowen Orchid & Foliage Society’s (BOFS) Spring Show was held in the Pat Tracey Pavilion at the Bowen Show Grounds with over 200 visitors passing through their doors to view the array of orchids and foliage plants. Although the show was held a couple of weeks earlier than in previous years, it still showcased an impressive variety of orchids and foliage for both judging and public viewing. Members
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Introducing Carlos, a stunning 3-year-old Bullarab/Mastiff mix who’s ready to find his forever home. Carlos is up-to-date with his vaccinations, including his annual Proheart injection, and is on a consistent tick and flea prevention regimen. The current owner is also open to having Carlos neutered before adoption. Carlos is a well-rounded companion who gets along wonderfully with people, older children, and other dogs.
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St Catherine’s Catholic College is proudly celebrating the incredible achievements of four of its First Nations students in the 7th annual Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF) Creative Arts Competition. The event, held in partnership with Griffith University, showcases the creative talents of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from secondary schools across Queensland. This year’s competition was especially significant, with a record-breaking 201 ent
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Transitioning from Year 6 to high school can be overwhelming and a nerve-racking experience for both students and their parents and carers. At Bowen State High School they are trying to make this transition as smooth as possible. In 2025, Bowen State High School will introduce four scholarships which will be awarded to a number of Year 6 students who effectively demonstrate the criteria for each scholarship. The scholarships focus on the areas of Academic Excellence, First Nations, Sport and
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Soul music songstress Lisa Hunt is bringing her ‘Forever Soul’ show to the Airlie Beach Hotel on September 28 on Saturday evening 7pm – 10pm, and returns again on Sunday 29 for a daytime performance 2pm – 5pm. Lisa began blasting out her voice in great African American tradition at the gospel church when she was a young girl. Since discovering her talent, Lisa has performed alongside some of the best musicians in the world. During her career, she has shared the stage with huge artists inclu
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Last year’s event saw an impressive 50 cars and 30 bikes on display at Proserpine Showgrounds and this year should be even bigger. Organised by the Whitsunday Old Iron Restorers Club, the event is run by volunteers and member Lyn Burke said there will be numerous things to do on the day. “The tractor pull is going to be entertaining and there's free events for the children to keep them occupied,” said Lyn. “The Pioneer Valley Machinery Preservations Society Rally are brining all their station
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Get your sequins and jumpsuits ready as Morning Melodies is coming to the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, where Helpmann award winner Michael Griffiths and acclaimed cabaret darling Amelia Ryan celebrate the songbooks of Aussie icons Olivia Newton-John and Peter Allen. From their modest small-town roots to global stardom clad in sequins and jumpsuits, take a nostalgic journey through Olivia and Peters sing-along classics—from "Rio" and "Tenterfield" to "Xanadu" and beyond. Expect a delightful
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Twenty-six players from the Bowen Bridge Club recently competed in the prestigious Australia-wide pairs tournament, showcasing their exceptional skills on a national stage. A standout performance came from Elaine Hadlow and Jill Spencer, who achieved an impressive percentage of 59.70%. This strong showing earned them 153rd place out of nearly 3,200 participants. Their performance highlighted their strategic play and competitive spirit, distinguishing them among a large and talented field. Equall
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The Proserpine Cricket Club is set to kick off the new cricket season with an engaging "Junior Cricket Come & Try Afternoon" on Friday, October 11, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Proserpine Junior Cricket Grounds. This event promises to be an excellent opportunity for young cricket enthusiasts and their families to explore the sport in a fun and interactive setting. The Come & Try Afternoon will provide a hands-on introduction to cricket, featuring activities tailored to different age groups:
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At the 2024 Paul Bowman Challenge the Proserpine Whitsunday Junior Rugby League Football Club welcomed 80 teams from all over Queensland. Over 300 games were played, and it was a great weekend filled with footy, fun and fantastic action. The Paul Bowman Challenge kickstarted the school holidays, giving youngsters from all over the State a chance to play Rugby League in the beautiful Whitsundays for the entire weekend. On Sunday, everyone was blessed with the presence of Zac Laybutt and Coen
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Last Friday, 24 students from Whitsunday’s Senior Schools reached a significant milestone by earning their Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1) through the VETiS program. This government-funded initiative allows students to gain nationally recognized qualifications while still in school. Their hard work and dedication culminated in this prestigious achievement, marking the beginning of their exciting journeys in the maritime world. The initiative is managed by the Whitsunday
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Whitsunday, September 15, 2024 – The Whitsunday Sea Eagles capped off their 2024 season with a vibrant Presentation Day celebration on Sunday afternoon. The event highlighted the team's achievements and individual player successes throughout the year. The Sea Eagles’ Senior Women’s team made a significant leap this season by reaching the finals competition for the first time since their return to the league. The Under 17s also had a commendable season, making it to the Preliminary Finals. Meanwh
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