Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Bendigo Community Bank Cannonvale-Proserpine rewarded the Whitsunday community at their annual general meeting and community event last Wednesday, November 15. In total, $1000 was gifted to three local organisations, which will aid the community. Whitsunday United FC were awarded the major prize for the evening, with $500 given to the community sporting club. “Thank you on behalf of the Club for hosting tonight’s event and for involving local clubs and organisations, it’s a great initiative. O
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Hi Everyone, Earlier this week my six-year-old son asked me why people on the news always talk about “murders and dying”. When you think about it, the fact that our news is often monopolised by death and tragedy, makes for quite a sad reflection on life. And to think that this is what young kids are experiencing about world around them – it is no wonder that we have a generation of extremists – either emotional and worried about life or the opposite, taking crazy risks in order to feel alive.
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With Andrew Willcox, Federal Member For Dawson Federal Member for Dawson Andrew Willcox is calling for an investigation into supermarket meat sale prices from Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Agriculture Minister Murray Watt. Mr Willcox said Treasurer Chalmers and Minister Watt must urgently direct the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to hold a price inquiry. “According to Meat and Livestock Australia, some sheep and lamb categories have fallen by up to 70 per cent in the s
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Get Set For Work Program Success The last we heard from Zaine van Poelgeest, one of the four Term 3 graduates of the PCYC Whitsundays Get Set For Work Program, he was looking to start his career at sea, hoping to secure employment at one of the major marine operators. And this week, his dreams have come to fruition, as he begins his induction with Cruise Whitsundays. Under the tutelage of Get Set For Work program coordinator, Scott Lynch, Zaine has flourished. Get Set For Work is a 10 week p
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The Whitsundays is set to welcome the maiden voyage of a brand-new adults-only cruise ship which is due to arrive in local waters next Friday, December 1. Resilient Lady, Virgin Voyages’ third ship, debuted in Europe earlier this year and is making its way over to Australia, stopping first in Darwin, Carins and Airlie Beach before docking in Port Melbourne for the summer cruising season. It will be given a special acknowledgement next week with a smoking ceremony and a welcome to country foll
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To Trial Pedestrian Crossings Traffic and pedestrian flow in Airlie Beach Main Street will experience a change from December 1, with the Whitsunday Regional Council beginning a six-month trial of pedestrian crossings along Airlie Beach Main Street. The trials will see four pedestrian crossings across Airlie Beach Main Street. There will be one in front of NAB Bank, a second at the Magnums crossing, a third on the Esplanade and a fourth in front of Airlie Beach Hotel. Planter boxes will be erec
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Ahead Of Gillnet Ban A package between Commonwealth and Queensland Government has been announced to support commercial fishers, ahead of further fishing industry sanctions. Worth $186 million, the package includes compensation measures such as buy backs, reskilling and financial advice, in an effort to ease the impact of the phasing out of gillnet fishing in the Great Barrier Reef Area by 2027. A total of $125 million has been committed to phasing out gillnets, rezoning the Great Sandy Marine
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Ahead of their Christmas pop-up shop for low-income families, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre is inviting kind-heated community members to contribute brand-new un-wrapped gifts as part of their annual toy drive. Those interested are asked to simply register on Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre’s Facebook page before December 10, purchase the gifts and bring them into the centre. Then, on December 15, the pop-up toy shop will be opened to low-income families so they can each select a present
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Uniting a passion for yoga with a love for location, local Yoga Teacher Norma Strang is opening the doors to a series of new yoga classes with stunning views across Coral Sea Marina. Located at the Lookout Lounge above the bustling marina village, Yoga + 5 is a place where you can step away from the busy world below and connect with yourself, discovering inner-peace and life balance along the way. A yoga teacher for the past 20 years, Norma has operated four yoga studios around the country, mo
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Though confronting, having difficult conversations can be catalysts for growth, while also building better relationships, trust and respect. Next time you encounter a challenging exchange, consider these three strategies: Create a safe space: Every individual values the right to openly express their thoughts and concerns without fear of judgment or repercussions. You can create this environment by the simple act of offering your undivided attention. When the other person is speaking, set aside
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Libraries Team Leader Whitsunday Regional Council If you are a regular at our Council libraries in Proserpine, Bowen, or Collinsville then you will recognise the smiling face of Whitsunday Regional Libraries Team Leader Robyn Batman. Robyn started with Council in 2005 as a Customer Service Officer when it was Whitsunday Shire Council before being promoted to the role of Team Leader- Proserpine Library in 2009. She held that role until 2014 before leaving to work at a local solicitor as a legal s
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As the clock ticks down to the end of year, businesses are charging ahead at capacity. Retail is strong, building experiencing the usual rush and hospitality has had a great few weeks with the Airlie Beach Music Festival, followed by schoolies bringing plenty of visitors. With an unexpected cruise ship visit last weekend, Airlie Beach was literally heaving with people! Business preparation – Are you ready for the silly season? No matter what business you’re in, now is the time to prepare for the
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At Home In Our Region Whitsunday Auto Group have a Christmas treat for our region, boasting plenty of stock of the 2023 Car of the Year. Named by Carsales.com.au, the MG4 took out the top spot last week, highlighting the new vehicle for its safety, speed, practical economics, and its unbeatable price point. Now what makes the MG4 stand apart from the rest? The MG4 is MG’s first completely electric performance machine, with a 5-star ANCAP safety rating it is extremely reliable with a sleek Europ
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After a three-year hiatus, the annual Bowen Family Fishing Classic and Wet Weekend is back and better than ever. Planning this mammoth weekend of non-stop fishing is Russ McCabbin, who is excited to see the event return. “Everything is back on track, and this will be an unbelievable weekend,” he said. The event takes place at the Bowen Foreshore and features a fantastic fishing competition with two chances to win big money in each category. With 14 different species of fish on the competiti
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T8T Fest Wraps Up For 2023 The fifth T8T Fest has wrapped up for Bowen, but the work isn’t over yet! For the Tait family who organise T8T Fest, the festival acts as a reunion and special celebration of life for their much-loved family member Nicholas Tait, who passed away in 2016 from Melanoma. At the age of 36, Nicholas was diagnosed with melanoma, and 16 short weeks later, he sadly passed away. “And in 2017, we held a reunion for everyone who knew Taity,” explained Amanda Tait, Nicholas’ elde
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Dear Kaylem, I know you will hate this, but I just had to do it! Dad and I are so proud of you and the amazing young man you have grown up to be. As this chapter closes and a new one begins, know that no matter what it brings Dad and I will always be here. Love Mum & Dad xxx Ps. Rent will be due next week! 😊 Photoshoot Location: Villa Botanica / Private Home / Shute Harbour Photography by: Norina Jane and R Jean Photography
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Year 12 Students Mark End Of An Era With School Formals Year 12 students from around the region celebrated the end of their school journeys this week, the countless festivities marked the end of an era, but also commemorated each individual’s achievements from a memorable period in their lives. Friends united, proud parents watched on with tears in their eyes and entire school communities gathered to wish departing students all the success in life.
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A musical movement that is aimed at not only raising awareness of our local indigenous culture but also healing the wounds of the past, is alive and singing in the Whitsundays, led by two inspiring local musos. The collaboration of artists Adrian Thomas and Uncle Harold Bowen has seen indigenous stories translated into meaningful music with heartfelt compassion and true storytelling. The pair have been working together for several months, Adrian writes the lyrics from the stories Uncle Harold
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The folk event of summer is arriving in the Whitsunday PCYC, checking into Airlie Beach for one night of mammoth music, that will leave the soul replenished and recharged. The Summer rendition of the Festival of Small Halls is back and featuring headlining acts Assynt and Jackie Marshall, with the evening expected to be music for the soul. Jackie Marshall is a folk singer-songwriter, with her inspirations stemming from 60s and 70s and western folk and country, jazz, and improvisation. Full of
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Friday 24th Nov • Paradiso: Mike Duff (7-10pm) • KC’s: Aaron Saxon (8pm-Late) • Metropole: Live Music (8pm-Late) • The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andrew Wishart (7pm-10pm) • Grand View Hotel: TBC (from 8pm) Saturday 25th Nov • The Pub, Airlie Beach Hotel: Andrew Wishart (7pm-10pm) • Airlie Beach Hotel: Dire Straits (2pm-5.30pm) • Paradiso: Simon Briley (7-10pm) • KC’s: Retro Joe (8pm-Late) • Grand View Hotel: Dave Helgi Johan (from 6pm) Sunday 26th Nov • Paradiso: Aaron Saxon (1-4pm) • The Pu
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Whitsunday Touch has rounded off the 2023 season, with a massive celebration earlier this week. The overall winning teams are: A Grade - GET Touch B Grade - Whitmonday Eagles C Grade - Flametree Flames Family Grade - Untouchables
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The weekly 9-hole stableford saw Scott Morrissey in first place with 24 pts, second with 22 pts Jane Muller and third David Wallace on 21 pts. We also had a couple of holes in one this week Jane Muller on hole 5 and Glenn Rees on hole 8. Fridays 9-hole stableford saw Tim Walton take the win with 23 pts, second place with 19 pts Alan Clinch and third place with 18 pt c/b Gary Goddard. Sundays 4 ball better ball was a great turn out, a top effort for our winners Glenn Rees and Rob Lodders with a
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Thirty Whitsunday players competed in a stroke competition which was also Round 2 of the Club championships for those who were eligible. It was warm and steamy out there as the course did not get the coastal sea breezes - they’re a hardy lot who know how to stay fresh on the course. Scoring indicated the state of the course with lots of run on the fairways and some very accurate (and some very lucky) putts on the greens. Championship winners will be revealed at the presentation evening to be he
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Playing with a handicap of 8, Jayden Lloyd had a sensational 4-under par to blitz Saturday's Hayman Electrical stroke event with a 58 nett. Chris Pham was second in the A division with 67. Wayne Fitzgerald with 68 won the B division from Jackson Gray on 68. Pins went to Jalen Jarvis, Rob Stanley, Mick Hamilton, and Jayden Lloyd. The ladies section winner was Lyn Muller on 72 from Penny Wardroper on 73 with the pins going to Pauline Redpath and Penny Wardroper. Tuesday's monthly medal saw Ja
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On Wednesday, men and ladies played a single stableford event sponsored by Bowen Golf Club. Ladies’ winner with a great score of 44pts was Tanya Gaudry, runner up Leanne Swan 40pts. Men’s winner also with a great score of 43pts was Joshua Fraser, runner up Reg Goldup 40pts. On Saturday, we played a single stableford sponsored by Roger Vandenberg from Proserpine Pro Shop. Ladies’ winner on a countback was Robyn Slade 36pts, 2nd place Helen Russell 36pts, 3rd place Lorraine McArthur 36pts.
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